Immelmann

noun

Im·​mel·​mann ˈi-məl-mən 

: a maneuver in which an airplane reverses direction by executing half of a loop upwards followed by half of a roll

called also Immelmann turn

Examples of Immelmann in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its history dates back to World War I when German pilot Max Immelmann escaped enemy fire by performing an ascending half-loop followed by a half-roll at the top, ending the opposite direction of the enemy. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 Jan. 2026

The attraction will also feature the tallest vertical coaster loop at 179 feet and the highest Immelmann Inversion, which sends guests upside down at 218 feet in the air. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

Emperor riders will experience inversions, a barrel roll, Immelmann loop (a roll-off-the-top), hammerhead turn (a cartwheel style spin) and flat spins. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Aug. 2021

Next on my agenda is practicing aerobatic maneuvers—loops, rolls, Immelmann turns—which in FPV should be straightforward and promise to be a thrill. — IEEE Spectrum, 1 Feb. 2010

Word History

Etymology

Max Immelmann

First Known Use

1918, in the meaning defined above

Biographical Definition

Immelmann

biographical name

Im·​mel·​mann ˈi-məl-ˌmän 

-mən

Max 1890–1916 German aviator