Definition
A flight path held on a constant heading, without intentional turns, used during an inadvertent thunderstorm encounter to minimize structural stress on the airframe.
Plain English
Flying in a straight line on one heading instead of turning. In a thunderstorm, holding straight reduces the loads the aircraft has to handle compared to banking and turning.
Context Anchor
Seen in guidance for an inadvertent thunderstorm encounter, where the pilot is already inside dangerous weather and must keep control while getting out of it.
Why Pilots Care
Turning inside a thunderstorm lengthens exposure to turbulence, wind shear, and disorientation; holding a straight course reduces time in the hazard.
Intuition Check
Do not read “straight course” as “perfectly smooth, perfectly level, or exactly on a map line.” Here it mainly means “do not make unnecessary turns; keep going in a steady direction as much as conditions allow.”
Example Sentence 1
After entering the cell unintentionally, the pilot maintained a straight course and accepted the heading change rather than turning back through the worst of the weather.
Example Sentence 2
Instead of attempting a turn, the procedure calls for maintaining a straight course to minimize time in severe turbulence.