Definition
The position of the airplane's nose relative to the horizon when the aircraft is established in level, unaccelerated flight at normal cruise airspeed and power. It is the reference pitch picture the pilot uses as the baseline for level flight, with deviations from it indicating a climb or descent.
Plain English
The way the nose sits against the horizon when the airplane is flying along straight and level at its normal cruising speed. It's the 'this is what level flight looks like' picture the pilot keeps in mind.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument steep-turn training as the starting pitch picture before the pilot adjusts the nose position to hold altitude during the turn.
Derivation
Cruise' comes from the Dutch 'kruisen' meaning to cross or sail back and forth, later used for steady travel. 'Pitch' here refers to the up-or-down angle of the nose, and 'attitude' comes from the Latin 'aptitudo' meaning fitness or position. Together: the nose position that fits steady, normal flight.
Why Pilots Care
Using the correct cruise pitch attitude during steep turns keeps altitude constant and prevents the common tendency to lose or gain altitude as load factor increases.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane in normal level cruise and notice where the nose sits against the horizon; that sight picture is the cruise pitch attitude.
Intuition Check
Do not read “attitude” as mood or behavior; here it means the airplane’s position. Do not read “pitch” as propeller blade angle; here it means the nose’s up-or-down position.
Example Sentence 1
After rolling out of the steep turn, the pilot returned the nose to the cruise pitch attitude to maintain altitude.
Example Sentence 2
If the cruise pitch attitude is allowed to drop, the airplane will begin a descent even though power remains at cruise setting.