Definition
A primary flight instrument that displays the aircraft's pitch and bank attitude relative to the horizon, and combines that display with steering commands derived from the flight director or navigation system. The ADI shows the pilot both where the aircraft is pointed (attitude) and where it should be pointed (command bars or steering cues) on a single instrument face.
Plain English
An instrument that shows the airplane's nose-up or nose-down angle and its bank, and overlays small bars or cues that tell the pilot which way to fly to follow a chosen course or path.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying, especially on the main attitude display in front of the pilot.
Derivation
From 'attitude' (the aircraft's orientation in pitch and bank) and 'director' (something that gives directions). The name reflects the instrument's two jobs: showing attitude and directing the pilot how to fly.
Why Pilots Care
It supplies the primary visual reference for attitude that prevents spatial disorientation when outside visual references are lost.
Intuition Check
Do not read “attitude” as emotional attitude here. In this context, attitude means where the aircraft’s nose and wings are pointing in relation to the horizon.
Example Sentence 1
During the ILS approach, the pilot kept the command bars on the ADI centered to stay on the glidepath and localizer.
Example Sentence 2
During the missed approach the ADI flight director bars guided the initial climb attitude.