Plain English Meaning

The two halves look the same, just flipped. What you do on one side, you do as a mirror image on the other side.

Full Definition

Having matching, mirror-image halves on either side of a central reference line or point. In flight maneuvers, symmetrical describes a maneuver whose halves mirror each other in shape, timing, altitude change, and bank angle around a midpoint.

Context Anchor

Used when evaluating the shape and timing of a lazy eight maneuver.

Derivation

From the Greek 'symmetria,' meaning 'measured together' (sym- 'with' + metron 'measure'). The original sense is that two parts share the same measurements. That's exactly the test in flight: the left half and the right half should match in size, timing, and shape.