Definition
The act by which a flight instructor assumes physical control of the flight controls from a student, ending the student's authority to fly the aircraft for that moment and placing the instructor in command of its handling. It is communicated by a clear positive exchange of controls (typically a verbal call such as 'I have the controls') so both pilots know without ambiguity who is flying.
Plain English
The instructor takes the flight controls away from the student and starts flying the aircraft themselves, making sure the student knows to let go.
Context Anchor
Used during flight instruction when an instructor must correct an unsafe situation, demonstrate a maneuver, or end confusion about who is flying.
Why Pilots Care
Allows the instructor to prevent loss of control or an incident during training.
Grounding Statement
In the cockpit, only one person should be actively controlling the aircraft at a time, and both people must know who that is.
Intuition Check
This does not just mean helping or giving advice. It means the instructor becomes the active pilot controlling the aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
When the student froze on short final, the instructor announced 'I have the controls,' took over the control of the aircraft, and landed safely.
Example Sentence 2
During the simulated engine failure, the CFI had to take over the control of the aircraft to execute a safe landing.