Definition
A small, independent attitude indicator installed in the instrument panel to display aircraft pitch and bank when the primary attitude indicator fails or its power source is lost. It operates on a separate power supply (often a dedicated battery or alternate electrical bus) so that bank and pitch information remain available during partial-panel or electrical-failure conditions.
Plain English
A backup instrument that shows whether the aircraft's nose is pointed up, down, or level, and whether the wings are tilted left or right, so the pilot still has that information if the main attitude instrument quits working.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument flying equipment lists and cockpit checks, especially when confirming backup instruments for flight in clouds or low visibility.
Derivation
Stand-by' comes from the nautical and military sense of something held ready in reserve, waiting to take over if needed. The same idea applies here: the instrument sits powered and ready, taking over only if the primary fails.
Why Pilots Care
Provides essential attitude information during instrument flight if the primary indicator fails, allowing the pilot to maintain control and complete the flight safely.
Grounding Statement
If the outside view disappears, this instrument helps show which way the helicopter is tilted and where the nose is pointing.
Intuition Check
Do not read attitude as emotion or personality here. In this term, attitude means the aircraft’s physical position: bank left or right and pitch nose up or down.
Example Sentence 1
When the primary attitude indicator tumbled, the pilot transitioned her scan to the stand-by bank and pitch indicator and continued the approach.
Example Sentence 2
The preflight checklist confirmed that the stand-by bank and pitch (attitude) indicator was powered and aligned before departure into instrument conditions.