Plain English Meaning

An imaginary line going across the aircraft from one wingtip to the other. The aircraft pivots around this line when the nose moves up or down.

Full Definition

The lateral axis of an aircraft, running from wingtip to wingtip through the center of gravity. Rotation about the pitch axis raises or lowers the nose and is controlled primarily by the elevator.

Context Anchor

You will see this term when learning the three aircraft axes and how the flight controls move the airplane.

Derivation

Pitch comes from older English meaning to throw or plunge forward, as a ship pitches in heavy seas. The same idea carries into aviation: the nose pitches up or down around this axis.