Definition
The angle of the airplane's lateral axis relative to the natural horizon, measured as the degree to which the wings are tilted left or right from level flight.
Plain English
How far the wings are tipped to one side compared to the horizon. If the wings are level with the horizon, bank attitude is zero. If one wing is lower than the other, the airplane is in a bank.
Context Anchor
Used in attitude flying when you judge the airplane’s position by looking outside at the horizon or inside at the attitude indicator.
Derivation
Bank' comes from an old word meaning a sloping ridge or edge. A banked road or racetrack is tilted on its side, which is exactly what an airplane does when it tips its wings to turn. 'Attitude' here means orientation in space, not mood.
Why Pilots Care
Proper bank attitude keeps turns coordinated, prevents slips or skids, and maintains altitude and airspeed control.
Grounding Statement
If the horizon looks level but one wing is lower than the other, the airplane has a bank attitude.
Intuition Check
Do not read “attitude” as emotion or “bank” as money. In this term, bank attitude means the airplane’s left-right lean compared with the horizon.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor asked the student to establish a 30-degree bank attitude and hold it through a full 360-degree turn.
Example Sentence 2
Leveling the wings requires returning the bank attitude to zero on the attitude indicator.