Definition
A cockpit instrument needle that shows whether the aircraft is positioned to the left or right of a selected navigation course. The needle deflects toward the course: if the course is to the right of the aircraft, the needle moves right, telling the pilot to fly right to intercept it. It is the lateral guidance element of VOR, ILS localizer, and similar navigation displays.
Plain English
A needle on a cockpit instrument that tells you which way to steer to get back on your chosen path. If the needle points right, fly right; if it points left, fly left.
Context Anchor
Seen on navigation instruments used for following a radio course or lining up with an instrument approach path.
Why Pilots Care
It shows the pilot which direction to turn to point toward the station, preventing navigation errors and lost time.
Intuition Check
Do not read it as a turn or bank instrument. It shows side-to-side position compared with a selected path, not whether the airplane is currently turning left or right.
Example Sentence 1
As the aircraft drifted in the crosswind, the left-right indicator deflected to the right, prompting the pilot to correct back onto the airway.
Example Sentence 2
While tracking inbound, the pilot watched the left-right indicator to stay centered on the NDB course.