Definition
The two primary attitude controls of an aircraft. Pitch is the up-or-down angle of the nose relative to the horizon, controlled by the elevator. Bank is the left-or-right tilt of the wings relative to the horizon, controlled by the ailerons. Together, pitch and bank describe and manage the aircraft's attitude in flight.
Plain English
Pitch is whether the nose is pointed up or down. Bank is whether the wings are tilted left or right. Saying 'pitch and bank' is shorthand for the two basic ways a pilot positions the aircraft in the air.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when using the attitude indicator to control the aircraft without outside visual references.
Derivation
Pitch' comes from older English meaning to tip forward or set at an angle, the same root as pitching a ball or a roof's pitch. 'Bank' comes from the idea of leaning, like a road banking into a curve. Both words were borrowed into aviation because they already described the motions naturally.
Why Pilots Care
Control of pitch and bank directly governs altitude, airspeed, and heading; improper management produces altitude deviations or uncoordinated flight.
Analogy
Think of holding a small model airplane. Raising or lowering the nose shows pitch; tipping one wing down shows bank.
Intuition Check
Pitch does not mean throwing something here; it means nose up or nose down. Bank does not mean money or a river edge here; it means the wings are tilted left or right.
Example Sentence 1
He held pitch and bank steady while the controller read back the new clearance.
Example Sentence 2
During the standard-rate turn the instructor emphasized keeping pitch and bank constant to avoid altitude loss.