Roll
What is roll?
Roll is the rotation of an aircraft around its longitudinal axis—the line running from the nose to the tail. It is controlled by the ailerons, which deflect in opposite directions to raise one wing and lower the other, banking the aircraft. Think of it as tipping your wings side to side, the motion that initiates a turn.
Also known as: rolling, bank, lateral axis (incorrect—roll is around the longitudinal axis)
Studying for an FAA written test?
Terms like roll show up on the FAA knowledge test. Study them in context with ACS-aligned practice questions, AI explanations, and the cited FAA handbook reference behind every answer — free to start.