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

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

From The Daily Beast