Definition
The cockpit instruments that directly display the output of the engine and propeller, used by the pilot to set and verify power. In a typical piston aircraft these are the manifold pressure gauge, the tachometer, and -- where fitted -- the fuel flow indicator. The pilot adjusts the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls and reads these instruments to confirm the resulting power setting.
Plain English
The gauges that show how much power the engine is producing. You move the throttle and other engine controls, and these gauges tell you what you actually got.
Context Anchor
Seen during instrument flying when setting power for straight-and-level flight, climbs, descents, and airspeed changes.
Why Pilots Care
Correct power settings are required to maintain altitude and airspeed when outside visual references are unavailable.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as “instruments that physically control the power.” They are instruments that show power information so the pilot can adjust the power controls correctly.
Example Sentence 1
Before starting the descent, the pilot glanced at the power control instruments and reduced manifold pressure to the published setting.
Example Sentence 2
During the level-off, the pilot set 2,300 RPM on the tachometer while monitoring the manifold pressure gauge.