Which term describes using more movement in the control column than necessary to achieve the desired pitch-and-bank condition?

• A. Overcontrolling
• B. Overboost
• C. Overpower
• D. Parasite drag

Answer: (A)

Using more control column movement than needed to reach the desired pitch and bank is called overcontrolling. When you input more elevator or aileron than necessary, the airplane responds with a larger change in attitude than intended, causing overshoot and a tendency to oscillate as you try to settle on the target pitch and bank. The goal in normal flight is to apply small, smooth, coordinated inputs and then relax to let the aircraft settle into the desired attitude. Overcontrolling can make control feel unstable and can lead to pilot-induced oscillations if done repeatedly. The other terms don’t describe this behavior: overboost relates to engine power, overpower to excessive thrust, and parasite drag is drag from external surfaces, none of which capture excessive control input.