Definition
The tendency of an airplane in a steep turn to continue rolling into a steeper bank without further aileron input from the pilot. It occurs because the outside wing, traveling on a larger radius, moves faster through the air and produces more lift than the inside wing, which rolls the airplane further into the turn.
Plain English
In a steep turn, the airplane wants to keep tipping further over on its own. The pilot has to actively hold the wings where they want them, often using a small amount of opposite aileron to stop the bank from increasing.
Context Anchor
Encountered during level turns, especially when learning steep turns and trying to hold a constant bank angle.
Derivation
Built from 'over' (beyond what is wanted) and 'banking' (tilting the wings to turn). The word literally describes the airplane banking more than the pilot intended.
Why Pilots Care
If uncorrected, the increasing bank leads to a higher descent rate and can quickly develop into a spiral dive.
Analogy
It is like leaning a bicycle into a turn and having it keep leaning farther than you meant. You have to stop the extra lean to keep the turn under control.
Grounding Statement
In a steep level turn, the airplane may try to roll farther into the turn unless the pilot actively holds the desired bank angle.
Intuition Check
Overbanking does not mean simply making a steep turn on purpose. It means the bank angle is increasing beyond the pilot’s intended angle.
Example Sentence 1
As the bank passed 45 degrees, the instructor pointed out the overbanking tendency and demonstrated holding a small amount of opposite aileron to keep the bank constant.
Example Sentence 2
Recognizing the start of overbanking early allowed the pilot to maintain a constant bank angle throughout the level turn.