Definition
Flight in which a constant heading and a constant altitude are maintained, with the aircraft's wings level and no climb or descent occurring.
Plain English
Flying in a straight line at the same altitude, with the wings level and the nose neither climbing nor descending.
Context Anchor
Seen in basic flight training, performance discussions, and maintenance references describing normal aircraft operation in steady flight.
Why Pilots Care
Forms the stable baseline for most cross-country travel and fuel-efficient flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as simply “the airplane is pointed straight.” In aviation, it means both parts together: no turn, and no climb or descent.
Example Sentence 1
After the climb, the student leveled off at 4,500 feet and held straight-and-level flight while completing the cruise checklist.
Example Sentence 2
After leveling off, the pilot trimmed the aircraft for straight-and-level flight during cruise.