Definition
Cockpit instruments that display the amount of power being produced by the engine. In a piston aircraft, the power indicator is typically the tachometer (showing engine RPM) and, in more complex aircraft, the manifold pressure gauge. In turbine aircraft, power indicators include gauges such as torque, N1, or EPR, depending on engine type. Power indicators are one of the three categories of instruments used in attitude instrument flying, alongside control and performance instruments.
Plain English
The gauges that tell the pilot how hard the engine is working. By checking these instruments, the pilot knows whether the engine is set to climb power, cruise power, or something in between.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying when the pilot is setting power for climbs, descents, level flight, and airspeed changes.
Why Pilots Care
Precise power control is required to maintain desired airspeed and altitude when outside visual references are lost.
Intuition Check
Do not read power indicators as electrical-power warning lights. In this context, power means engine power, and indicators means the cockpit gauges that show or confirm that power setting.
Example Sentence 1
After establishing the climb attitude, the pilot cross-checked the power indicators to confirm the throttle was set to climb power.
Example Sentence 2
During the climb, the power indicators were adjusted to maintain a steady 500 feet per minute rate.