Definition
A turn in which the rate of yaw is too great for the angle of bank, causing the airplane to slide sideways toward the outside of the turn. The ball in the inclinometer moves to the outside of the turn, indicating excessive rudder is being applied in the direction of the turn relative to the bank angle.
Plain English
A turn where the airplane is sliding sideways toward the outside of the curve because the pilot is using too much rudder for the amount of bank. The tail is being pushed around faster than the bank alone would turn the airplane.
Context Anchor
Commonly discussed when learning about cross-control stalls, especially during an overshoot from base leg to final approach.
Derivation
From 'skid,' meaning to slide sideways without proper grip — like a car skidding outward through a corner because the tires can't hold the turn. The airplane is doing the same thing in the air: the nose is being yawed around faster than the bank can pull the airplane through the curve, so it slides outward.
Why Pilots Care
Skidding turns increase the risk of an unintentional cross-control stall and spin entry, particularly during low-altitude maneuvering such as base-to-final turns.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane’s nose being pulled too far into the turn while the rest of the airplane is not smoothly following the curved path.
Intuition Check
Do not think of a skidding turn as a wheel skid on the runway. In flight, “skidding” means the airplane is yawed sideways in the turn, usually from too much rudder.
Example Sentence 1
The student overshot the centerline on base-to-final and pressed inside rudder to tighten the turn, putting the airplane into a skidding turn.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor demonstrated how a skidding turn in the pattern can quickly lead to a cross-control stall if back pressure is added.