Definition
The physical feeling experienced by a pilot or passenger when the airplane suddenly loses lift or descends rapidly, producing a brief reduction in apparent body weight against the seat. It is commonly felt during downdrafts, wind shear encounters, the onset of a stall, or rapid power reduction at low airspeed.
Plain English
That stomach-dropping feeling you get when the airplane suddenly drops out from under you, similar to the feeling at the top of a roller coaster as it starts down.
Context Anchor
Encountered in discussions of flight illusions, rough air, leveling off, approach, and landing, where body feel may not match what the airplane is actually doing.
Why Pilots Care
It provides an early physical warning that allows the pilot to begin recovery before the stall fully develops.
Grounding Statement
A quick change in the airplane’s vertical motion can make your body feel a drop before your eyes or instruments confirm what is really happening.
Intuition Check
A sinking sensation does not always mean the airplane is actually sinking. It means your body feels a downward motion, so verify the airplane’s actual path before reacting.
Example Sentence 1
On short final, the pilot felt a sudden sinking sensation as the airplane crossed through a downdraft and immediately added power to arrest the descent.
Example Sentence 2
During the power-off stall demonstration, the sinking sensation appeared just before the stall horn sounded.