flight control

noun

1. the direction of airplane movements, especially takeoffs and landings, by messages from the ground.
2. the system by which this direction is done.
3. the office from which this direction is done.
4. the system by which the pilot of an airplane controls the movement of the airplane.

Word History and Origins

Origin of flight control¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

During this test, it operated under full autonomous flight control, and the aerodynamic, propulsion, and power efficiency performed “exactly as expected,” BAE Systems reported.

From Popular-Science

Looking ahead, the company is planning to continue iterating its flight control system and doing a field demo with the sub-scale prototype in the coming months.

From TechCrunch

It was testing significant changes to the flight control system and new software.

From The Daily Beast

Some drones are simply too costly and ineffective, others just don’t have the flight control to ensure safe take-offs and landings, but we’ve got one that will take you to new heights.

From Popular-Science

Several investigative reports have found that the company altered a flight control system, but didn’t fully explain the changes to Federal Aviation Administration inspectors.

From Fortune

Bonin was flying the airplane at the time when its flight control computers suddenly quit, requiring him to take over.

From The Daily Beast