Definition
A cockpit instrument used during an ILS approach that displays both localizer and glide slope guidance using two needles arranged at right angles to each other. The vertical needle shows lateral position relative to the localizer course, and the horizontal needle shows vertical position relative to the glide slope. When both needles are centered and crossed in the middle of the instrument, the aircraft is on course and on glide path.
Plain English
A single instrument with two needles that cross in the middle. One needle tells you if you are left or right of the runway centerline, the other tells you if you are above or below the correct descent path. When both needles are centered, you are flying the approach correctly.
Context Anchor
Seen during an ILS approach, especially in older cockpit instruments and instrument-flying training diagrams.
Derivation
Named for the visual behavior of the two needles, which cross each other at right angles on the face of the instrument. The point where they cross shows the aircraft's position relative to the ideal approach path.
Why Pilots Care
Provides real-time guidance to maintain the precise alignment needed for a safe instrument landing.
Analogy
Think of it like a video game crosshair. When your aircraft is in the right place, the crosshair sits dead center. If the aircraft drifts, the needles slide off-center to show which way and how far.
Intuition Check
Do not read cross-pointer as a pointer to a crossing or intersection. Here it means an indicator with two needles that cross each other and show approach guidance.
Example Sentence 1
As they intercepted the localizer, the pilot watched the cross-pointer indicator and made small corrections to keep both needles centered.
Example Sentence 2
During the ILS approach, the pilot monitored the cross-pointer indicator closely to stay on the glideslope.