Definition
A set of cockpit instruments and sensors that continuously monitor and display the operating condition of an aircraft's engine or engines, including parameters such as RPM, manifold pressure, oil pressure, oil temperature, cylinder head temperature, exhaust gas temperature, and fuel flow.
Plain English
The gauges and readouts that show how the engine is running — its speed, temperatures, pressures, and fuel use — so the pilot can see at a glance whether everything is healthy.
Context Anchor
Seen in glass-cockpit aircraft and in discussions of electronic flight display malfunctions, where engine information may be shown on a screen rather than on separate gauges.
Why Pilots Care
Gives immediate, accurate information about engine condition so the pilot can adjust power or respond to problems before they become serious.
Analogy
It is like the engine section of a car dashboard, but for an aircraft. It does not run the engine; it shows the pilot what the engine is doing.
Intuition Check
Do not read “engine indicating system” as a system that controls the engine. Here, “indicating” means showing engine information to the pilot.
Example Sentence 1
During the runup, the pilot scanned the engine indicating system and confirmed that oil pressure, oil temperature, and RPM were all in the green.
Example Sentence 2
When the engine indicating system showed a sudden drop in oil pressure, the pilot reduced power and prepared for a precautionary landing.