Definition
A primary flight instrument that displays the aircraft's pitch and bank attitude relative to the horizon, with added command bars (or steering cues) that show the pilot how to fly to satisfy a selected flight director or autopilot mode. It combines the function of a traditional attitude indicator with visual steering guidance.
Plain English
An attitude indicator with extra needles or bars that not only show whether the aircraft is climbing, diving, or banking, but also show the pilot exactly how to move the controls to follow a planned flight path.
Context Anchor
Seen on the instrument panel during instrument flying, especially when using flight director guidance for climbs, descents, turns, or approaches.
Derivation
Attitude here refers to the aircraft's orientation in space (pitch and bank), not a mood. Director means it directs or guides the pilot. Indicator means it displays information. Put together: an instrument that shows attitude and directs the pilot how to fly.
Why Pilots Care
Combines attitude reference with steering guidance so the pilot can maintain precise control and follow navigation paths accurately in low visibility.
Intuition Check
Attitude does not mean the pilot's mood here. It means the aircraft's position relative to the horizon: nose up or down, and wings level or banked.
Example Sentence 1
On the ILS approach, the pilot kept the aircraft symbol centered on the ADI's command bars all the way down to minimums.
Example Sentence 2
During the approach the ADI guidance cues directed small corrections to stay centered on the glide path.