Definition
A flight instrument display in which two needles arranged at right angles cross over a centered reference point to show the aircraft's deviation from a desired flight path. One needle typically shows lateral (left/right) deviation from course, and the other shows vertical (up/down) deviation from glideslope or a commanded pitch reference. Centered, crossed needles indicate the aircraft is on the desired path.
Plain English
An instrument with two needles that cross like a plus sign. When both needles are centered, you're on the correct path. If a needle moves off-center, you're drifting in that direction and need to correct back toward it.
Context Anchor
Seen on helicopter instrument panels when using stabilization, flight director, or automatic flight control features during instrument flight.
Derivation
“Cross-pointer” comes from the way two pointers cross each other on the display. The name helps because the pilot is watching the position of those crossed pointers to follow the system’s guidance.
Why Pilots Care
Allows quick visual confirmation that the automatic system is holding the intended path, reducing pilot workload and preventing unnoticed drift.
Analogy
It is like keeping two moving guide lines centered on a screen: one line helps with up-and-down control, and the other helps with left-and-right control.
Intuition Check
Do not read “cross-pointer” as a pointer that the pilot crosses over. It means a display made of crossed pointers that give flight guidance commands.
Example Sentence 1
As the helicopter intercepted the approach course, both cross-pointer needles centered, confirming the aircraft was tracking the localizer and glideslope.
Example Sentence 2
During the stabilized hover, the cross-pointer remained centered, confirming the automatic system was holding both lateral and vertical position.