Plain English Meaning
What the cockpit gauges are showing the pilot at any given moment about how the aircraft is flying.
Full Definition
The readings shown on the cockpit flight instruments — such as the airspeed indicator, attitude indicator, altimeter, heading indicator, vertical speed indicator, and turn coordinator — that report the aircraft's current performance and orientation in flight.
Context Anchor
Used during flight instruction when the student compares what they see outside the airplane with what the instruments show inside the cockpit.