Definition
A cockpit display made up of a group of warning, caution, and advisory lights that illuminate to alert the pilot to specific aircraft system conditions, such as low oil pressure, low voltage, or low fuel.
Plain English
A panel of small indicator lights in the cockpit that turn on to tell the pilot when something in one of the aircraft's systems needs attention.
Context Anchor
Seen during preflight checks, engine start, and flight when the pilot checks whether any warning, caution, or status lights are illuminated.
Derivation
From the Latin annuntiare, meaning 'to announce' or 'make known.' The panel literally announces a system condition to the pilot.
Why Pilots Care
Provides immediate, centralized notice of system malfunctions so the pilot can respond before a problem becomes serious.
Analogy
Similar to the warning lights on a car dashboard that come on when the engine is low on oil or the battery is not charging.
Intuition Check
Do not think of an annunciator panel as a place where the pilot normally controls systems. It mainly reports conditions to the pilot; switches and controls are usually found elsewhere.
Example Sentence 1
During the run-up, the pilot pressed the test button and confirmed every light on the annunciator panel illuminated.
Example Sentence 2
Shortly after takeoff the master caution light on the annunciator panel illuminated, prompting the pilot to check the alternator output.