Plain English Meaning

A turn where the airplane is being pushed around the corner with too much rudder, so the tail swings outward. It feels like the airplane is sliding to the outside of the turn, the way a car skids on a slick road.

Full Definition

An uncoordinated turn in which the airplane's tail slides outward from the turn, caused by too much rudder applied in the direction of the turn for the amount of bank being held. The ball in the inclinometer moves to the outside of the turn, indicating excessive yaw rate relative to the bank angle.

Context Anchor

In eights on pylons, skidding can happen if the pilot tries to keep the pylon in position by forcing the nose around with rudder instead of making a smooth, balanced turn.

Derivation

From the everyday word 'skid,' meaning to slide sideways without or steering cleanly -- as a car does on . The airplane's tail does the same thing: it slides outward instead of following the nose smoothly through the turn.