Plain English Meaning

A turn that is sloppy because the aircraft is sliding sideways through the air, instead of carving cleanly around the curve. The little ball in the turn instrument is off to one side rather than sitting in the middle.

Full Definition

A turn in which the aircraft is either slipping (sliding toward the inside of the turn) or skidding (sliding toward the outside of the turn) because the bank angle and the rate of yaw are not properly matched. In an uncoordinated turn, the inclinometer ball is not centered, indicating that the lift vector and the centrifugal force on the aircraft are not aligned with the pilot's vertical axis.

Context Anchor

Seen in instrument flying, attitude , and discussions of -sense illusions during .