roll
ROHL
/roʊl/
The rotational movement of an aircraft around its longitudinal axis (wingtips moving up and down).
Controlled by ailerons on the wings, initiating turns toward the bank angle.
The story behind the word. Traced to Latin 'rotula' (diminutive of 'rota', wheel). Passed through Old French 'roller' to describe revolving motion, later applied to seafaring vessels tilting from side to side.
Word relationships
- bank: Bank refers to the inclined angle resulting from a roll, while roll is the dynamic movement itself.
Commonly confused with
- pitch: Roll tilts the wings left or right; pitch moves the nose up or down.
Word family
- rolling (adjective): Rotating around a longitudinal axis.
Collocations
- roll angle
- bank roll
- rate of roll
- roll control
Example sentences
- "The fighter jet entered a banking roll to execute a high-speed turn." Flight maneuver
- "The pilot performed a smooth barrel roll during the airshow exhibition." Acrobatic flight
Memory hook
ROLL the wings like rolling a log side to side. Wing-to-wing rotation.
When not to use
Do not confuse with taxi roll (ground movement on wheels).
Fun facts
- Commercial airliners are restricted in bank roll angle to ensure passenger comfort and prevent aerodynamic strain.
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