Definition
The specific nose-up angle, relative to the horizon, that the pilot establishes during the takeoff roll and initial climb to lift the airplane off the runway and achieve the desired climb performance. This attitude is set by reference to the natural horizon and confirmed on the attitude indicator, and corresponds to the airplane manufacturer's recommended pitch for liftoff and initial climb-out.
Plain English
It's the nose-up angle the pilot holds the airplane at as it lifts off and starts climbing. The pilot picks the right amount of nose-up by looking at how the cowling sits against the horizon outside.
Context Anchor
Encountered during takeoff training, especially when learning when to raise the nose and what nose position to hold after liftoff.
Derivation
Pitch' in aviation refers to rotation around the airplane's lateral (wingtip-to-wingtip) axis -- nose up or nose down. 'Attitude' here doesn't mean mood; it comes from an old art and engineering term for the position or orientation of an object in space. So 'pitch attitude' simply means how the nose is angled relative to the horizon.
Why Pilots Care
The correct takeoff pitch attitude produces enough lift to leave the runway safely while avoiding a tail strike or excessive drag that could prevent a positive climb.
Intuition Check
Do not read attitude as an emotional state here. In this term, attitude means the airplane's position, and pitch attitude means where the nose is pointed up or down.
Example Sentence 1
After rotating, the pilot held the takeoff pitch attitude steady and let the airplane accelerate to climb speed.
Example Sentence 2
In gusty conditions the pilot uses a slightly lower takeoff pitch attitude until the airplane is well clear of the runway.