Definition
On a turn coordinator, the indication of how well a turn is being executed — specifically whether the airplane is properly coordinated (rudder and aileron working together) or is slipping or skidding through the turn. The instrument shows turn quality through the position of the inclinometer ball relative to the centered reference, while the miniature aircraft shows rate of turn.
Plain English
How cleanly the airplane is turning — whether it's slicing through the turn smoothly with the nose tracking properly, or sliding sideways because the rudder and ailerons aren't being used together correctly.
Context Anchor
Seen when interpreting the turn coordinator during instrument flight, especially while keeping the turn rate correct and the ball centered.
Derivation
Quality comes from Latin qualitas, meaning the kind or nature of something. Here it does not mean general goodness; it means the specific nature of the turn—coordinated, slipping, or skidding.
Why Pilots Care
A coordinated turn reduces drag and keeps the aircraft in balanced flight.
Grounding Statement
In a clean turn, you should not feel the airplane sliding sideways; the ball gives a simple visual check of that.
Intuition Check
Do not read quality as a general opinion, like “that was a good turn.” In this context, quality means coordination: whether the ball is centered or off center during the turn.
Example Sentence 1
After rolling into the turn, the instructor pointed at the inclinometer and said the ball was off-center, so the quality of the turn needed correcting with more right rudder.
Example Sentence 2
An uncoordinated turn shows poor quality on the turn coordinator and wastes fuel through added drag.