Definition
Command bars are the visual cues displayed on the attitude indicator of a flight director system that show the pitch and bank attitude the pilot (or autopilot) must fly to satisfy the selected flight director mode, such as heading, navigation, or approach. The pilot follows the cues by maneuvering the airplane symbol to align with the bars.
Plain English
Command bars are the symbols on the attitude indicator that tell you exactly how to pitch and bank the airplane to do what you've asked the flight director to do. You fly the airplane symbol up to meet them, and you're on target.
Context Anchor
Seen on the attitude display or primary flight display when using a flight director or autopilot during instrument flying.
Derivation
From 'command' (an instruction to act) and 'bar' (a straight visual element). The bars literally command the pilot where to put the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
They give precise visual guidance that reduces workload and improves accuracy when hand-flying instrument approaches or departures.
Grounding Statement
When the airplane symbol is lined up with the command bars, the airplane is matching the flight director guidance.
Intuition Check
Command bars are not control levers or autopilot controls. They are visual guidance cues; the pilot or autopilot still has to make the airplane follow them.
Example Sentence 1
After selecting heading mode, the pilot rolled into a turn to keep the airplane symbol tucked under the command bars.
Example Sentence 2
Once the autopilot captured the localizer, the command bars centered and remained steady for the remainder of the approach.