Definition
The control input and resulting maneuver used to return the airplane from a banked turn to wings-level flight, by smoothly applying aileron and rudder opposite the direction of the turn until the wings are level and coordinated flight is reestablished.
Plain English
Rollout is the act of leveling the wings at the end of a turn. The pilot uses the controls to bring the airplane out of its bank and back to flying straight.
Context Anchor
Used during level turns when the pilot is bringing the airplane back to straight-and-level flight on a selected heading.
Derivation
From 'roll' (the airplane's rotation about its longitudinal axis) plus 'out' (out of the bank). The phrase literally describes rolling the wings back out of the banked position.
Why Pilots Care
Precise rollout timing prevents overshooting or undershooting the desired heading and maintains altitude and coordination.
Intuition Check
Do not read rollout here as the airplane rolling along the runway after landing. In level turns, rollout means rolling the wings level to stop the turn.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor reminded the student to begin the rollout about half the bank angle before reaching the target heading.
Example Sentence 2
A smooth rollout keeps the airplane coordinated and prevents altitude loss.