Definition
A flight display element, typically shown on a moving map or HSI, that depicts the aircraft's actual ground track relative to the desired course. It allows the pilot to see where the aircraft is going over the ground, accounting for wind drift, rather than simply where the nose is pointed.
Plain English
A line on the cockpit display that shows the path the airplane is actually travelling across the ground. By comparing it to the course you want to fly, you can quickly see if wind is pushing you off track and adjust your heading.
Context Anchor
Seen on some GPS, RNAV, and instrument navigation displays during enroute flying or instrument approaches.
Derivation
The word 'track' here means the path the aircraft actually follows over the ground, which can differ from heading because of wind. 'Bar' refers to the line or marker drawn on the display. So a track bar is literally a line showing your real path across the ground.
Why Pilots Care
Helps maintain precise lateral guidance so the aircraft remains on the intended track, which is essential for safe instrument flight and approach compliance.
Intuition Check
Do not read track bar as a physical bar in the airplane. Here, it means a line or bar shown on a navigation display.
Example Sentence 1
With a strong crosswind from the left, the pilot turned slightly into the wind until the track bar lined up with the desired course.
Example Sentence 2
With the track bar centered on final approach the airplane stayed aligned with the runway extended centerline.