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Glite Dictionary
low-level flight

low-level flight

5.8
A plane or helicopter flying very low above the ground
  • noun
  • /loʊˈlɛvəl flaɪt/
translation icon : vuelo a baja altitud
  • The documentary highlighted the risks associated with low-level flights near populated areas.

Examples

  • Pilots are trained to understand the challenges of low-level flight, especially in rugged terrain.

  • During the air show, we watched as the fighter jets performed low-level flight maneuvers over the crowd.

  • - I have a low level flight test at 0500.

    Fire Birds (1990)

  • What about these low-level flights?

    Fiction book (2000)

  • It appears our low-level flights are getting back okay.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • And if things aren't as advertised, you're going to make sure they come out the way I want them to come out, starting with this low-level flight thing.

    Fiction book (2000)

  • While flying on a low-level flight over the bayous of Louisiana, going over 400 miles per hour, a turkey buzzard crashed through the windscreen of Doug's jet, half of it hitting his upper left arm and chest.

    Blog text (30)

Synonyms

fly-by
vslow-level flight
  • US
3 7.5

A low flight by military planes over people watching on the ground

is routine flight very close to the ground not aimed at showing off
terrain flight
vslow-level flight
  • Jargon
8.6

A very low pass by a helicopter near the ground to avoid being seen

is general flying very close to the ground without evasive military purpose

How Low

terrain flight
  • Jargon
8.6
low-level flight
5.8
high-altitude
20 4.2

Surface Forms

low-level flight singular
low-level flights plural

Morphology

low-level + flight

The meaning 'flying at a very low altitude' is directly and compositionally derived from 'low-level' (indicating a low altitude or low position) modifying 'flight' (the act of flying). This adjective+noun pattern is regular and cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Low-level flight shows a plane flying very low over the level ground, gliding close to the tops of trees or buildings. So, it means 'flying very close to the ground', often to avoid being seen or to show skill.