Coordinated flight

Pilot's view of a Schempp-Hirth Janus-C glider. The yaw string (red wool) on the canopy and the turn and bank indicator (top center of the instrument panel) both show the glider is not in coordinated flight. The glider is slipping slightly nose-left. Coordinated flight can be restored by the pilot applying pressure to the right rudder pedal.
The Türk Yıldızları performing a coordinated turn. In team aerobatics the notion is especially important, as sideslip may likely result in an in-flight collision.

In aviation, coordinated flight of an aircraft is flight without sideslip.[1]

When an aircraft is flying with zero sideslip a turn and bank indicator installed on the aircraft's instrument panel usually shows the ball in the center of the spirit level. The occupants perceive no lateral acceleration of the aircraft and their weight to be acting straight downward into their seats.

Particular care to maintain coordinated flight is required by the pilot when entering and leaving turns.[2]

  1. ^ Clancy, L.J., Aerodynamics, Section 14.6
  2. ^ Transport Canada: Flight Training Manual, 4th edition, page 9. Gage Publishing, 1994. ISBN 0-7715-5115-0