This critical gauge uses a spinning gyroscope or solid-state sensors to maintain a level reference regardless of how the aircraft maneuvers. It features a miniature airplane symbol superimposed over a background split into blue for sky and brown for ground. Pilots rely on it entirely when flying in clouds or darkness to prevent spatial disorientation and maintain level flight.
Heard on the job
I lost visual reference in the cloud bank and immediately transitioned to flying off the artificial horizon.
Also heard as
- attitude indicator
- ADI