What does the attitude indicator display?

The attitude indicator displays the aircraft's orientation relative to the horizon, providing critical information about its pitch and bank angles. This instrument allows pilots to understand whether the aircraft is climbing, descending, or maintaining level flight and how much it is banked left or right. By presenting this information on a graphical display, with a symbolic airplane representation against a blue sky (above) and brown terrain (below), pilots can quickly assess their flight attitude, which is essential for maintaining control, especially in instrument flight conditions where the horizon may not be visible. The correct answer highlights this fundamental role of the attitude indicator in ensuring safe and effective aircraft operations.