Definition
On an electronic flight display (EFD), trend indicators are short visual markers — typically magenta or cyan lines or arrows — that project where a value such as airspeed, altitude, or heading will be in approximately six seconds if the current rate of change continues. They appear adjacent to the relevant tape or scale on the primary flight display.
Plain English
A small line on the glass cockpit display that predicts where your speed, altitude, or heading is heading next, based on how fast it's changing right now.
Context Anchor
Seen on electronic primary flight displays, often beside the airspeed, altitude, vertical speed, or heading information.
Derivation
From 'trend,' meaning the general direction something is moving. The indicator shows the trend — where the value is going, not just where it is now.
Why Pilots Care
They let the pilot spot and correct small deviations early, before the airplane drifts far off the desired attitude or performance, resulting in smoother control and lower workload.
Analogy
They are like the direction arrow on a car navigation screen. The current position matters, but the arrow helps you understand where you are headed next.
Intuition Check
Do not read trend as a long-term pattern here. In this cockpit context, a trend indicator shows the immediate direction and rate of change over the next few seconds.
Example Sentence 1
As the airspeed trend indicator stretched toward the yellow arc, the pilot reduced power to hold cruise speed.
Example Sentence 2
Watching the airspeed trend vector on the tape, the pilot reduced power before the speed reached the flap limit.