Definition
A maneuver in which the aircraft is recovered from a descending or diving attitude by progressively applying back pressure on the controls to raise the nose and return the flight path to level or climbing flight. During a pull out, the aircraft follows a curved path, which produces centrifugal force and increases the load factor felt by the pilot and airframe.
Plain English
Bringing the airplane out of a dive by easing the nose back up to level flight. Because the airplane curves upward instead of changing direction instantly, the pilot feels heavier in the seat during the recovery.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying discussions about recovering from a dive or descent and about body sensations that can occur during that recovery.
Derivation
From the everyday English phrase 'to pull out,' meaning to withdraw from something. In flying, the pilot literally pulls back on the control yoke or stick to bring the aircraft out of the dive. The plain phrase fits the action.
Why Pilots Care
Improper technique during pull-out can produce excessive G-loads or intensify spatial disorientation.
Analogy
It is like a car coming out of the bottom of a dip in the road: as the path curves upward, you feel pressed down into the seat for a moment.
Grounding Statement
Picture descending in a shallow dive, then steadily easing the nose back up until the wings are level again -- that recovery is the pull out, and you feel pressed down into the seat as it happens.
Intuition Check
Do not read pull out as just “pull harder.” In this context, it means recover from a downward flight path by raising the nose and stopping the descent.
Example Sentence 1
After the practice dive, the student began a smooth pull out, and the instructor pointed out the heavier feeling in the seat caused by the increased load factor.
Example Sentence 2
A rapid pull out from the bank can create a strong sensation of climbing even when the nose stays level.