Definition
A spiral dive recovery technique in which the pilot first reduces power and rolls the wings level using coordinated aileron and rudder, and only then applies smooth back pressure on the elevator to recover from the dive. The roll-out and pull-out are sequenced — wings level first, then pitch up — to avoid overstressing the airframe.
Plain English
It's the right way to get out of a spiral dive: level the wings first, then ease the nose back up. Pulling back on the controls before the wings are level can break the airplane.
Context Anchor
Seen in spiral dive recovery, where the airplane may be banked steeply, descending rapidly, and gaining airspeed.
Derivation
Rolling' refers to rotating the airplane around its long axis to bring the wings level. 'Pullout' refers to pulling the nose up out of a dive. The phrase names the two actions in the order they must happen.
Why Pilots Care
Allows a controlled return to level flight without imposing excessive structural loads that can occur when pulling straight up with wings banked.
Grounding Statement
The airplane is banked and diving, so the pilot must both level the wings and bring the nose up without making either action abrupt.
Intuition Check
Do not assume a rolling pullout means simply yanking back while the airplane is still turning. The key idea is a smooth recovery: roll toward level and raise the nose in a controlled way.
Example Sentence 1
After recognising the spiral dive, the pilot reduced power, performed a rolling pullout, and returned to level flight without overstressing the airframe.
Example Sentence 2
In the spiral dive recovery procedure the instructor emphasized using a smooth rolling pullout rather than trying to level the wings first and then pulling up.