Plain English Meaning

The basic flying skills a pilot uses to control the airplane by hand — moving the controls themselves to make the airplane do what they want, rather than letting an autopilot or computer do it.

Full Definition

The fundamental hand-flying skills used to physically control an aircraft through the flight controls — primarily the control stick or yoke (which moves the ailerons and elevator) and the rudder pedals. These skills include maintaining attitude, coordinating turns, holding altitude and heading, managing , and performing such as , , turns, , and landings without reliance on .