Definition
The specific pitch and bank position the pilot intends the aircraft to hold in order to achieve a chosen flight condition, such as straight-and-level cruise, a standard-rate turn, or a constant-rate climb or descent. It is the target attitude the pilot selects, sets on the attitude indicator, and then maintains through control inputs and cross-check.
Plain English
The exact nose position and wing angle the pilot wants the airplane to be in to fly the way they have decided to fly right now.
Context Anchor
Used when controlling the airplane by reference to instruments, especially while setting pitch and bank during instrument flight.
Derivation
Desired comes from Latin desiderare, meaning to long for or aim at. In this context it simply means the attitude the pilot is aiming for, as opposed to whatever the aircraft is currently doing.
Why Pilots Care
Holding the correct desired attitude keeps the aircraft on the intended flight path, airspeed, and altitude when outside visual references are unavailable.
Intuition Check
Do not read attitude as emotional state here. In this context, attitude means the airplane’s physical position: nose and wings in relation to the horizon.
Example Sentence 1
After leveling off at 6,000 feet, the pilot set the desired attitude on the attitude indicator and trimmed for hands-off cruise.
Example Sentence 2
During the turn, small corrections were made to keep the airplane in the desired attitude.