A Barrel Roll is an aerial maneuver usable throughout the Star Fox series, in which a winged flying machine, such as an Arwing, makes a complete rotation on its longitudinal axis while following a helical path, approximately maintaining its original direction. It is sometimes described as "a combination of a loop and a roll". The G-force is kept positive (but not constant) on the object throughout the maneuver, commonly not more than 2-3 G, and no less than 0.5 G.[1]

However, the Arwing does not do a Barrel Roll in Star Fox series, except in Star Fox: Assault. Instead, the Arwing performs a maneuver called a rapid Aileron Roll. (However, moving and rolling at the same time actually leads to a barrel roll.)

The Aileron Roll is an aerial maneuver in which the aircraft does a full, 360 degree, revolution about its longitudinal axis. When executed properly, there is no appreciable change in altitude and the aircraft exits the maneuver on the same heading as it entered. This is commonly one of the first maneuvers taught in basic aerobatics courses.[2]