Coordinated Flight
Big Idea
A good turn uses aileron AND rudder together — that is called coordinated flight.
Fun Fact
The little ball at the bottom of your instruments is called the inclinometer. Keep it centered and your passengers will not feel sick!
Challenge
Can you make a full 360-degree turn with the ball perfectly centered?
What You Will Learn
- When you turn the yoke left, also press left rudder
- When you turn the yoke right, also press right rudder
- Watch the ball — keep it centered
- Step on the ball: if it slides right, press right rudder
Simulator Steps
- Start a left turn — yoke left AND left rudder together
- Watch the ball indicator — is it centered?
- If the ball slides right, add a little right rudder
- Now try a right turn — yoke right AND right rudder
- Practice until the ball stays centered during every turn
What You Learned
- Aileron and rudder work together in turns
- Keep the ball centered = coordinated flight
- Step on the ball to fix coordination