Definition
The two categories of cues a pilot uses to control an aircraft: visual references are external cues taken from looking outside (the horizon, ground features, runway alignment), while instrument references are internal cues taken from the cockpit instruments (attitude indicator, altimeter, airspeed, heading, etc.). Effective flying requires the pilot to develop, integrate, and shift between both sets of references appropriately for the phase of flight and conditions.
Plain English
The things a pilot looks at to fly the aircraft -- either outside the windscreen (visual) or inside on the panel (instruments). Pilots learn to use both and to know when each one matters most.
Context Anchor
Used in flight instruction when a student is learning to control the airplane by looking outside while also checking the instruments.
Derivation
Visual comes from a Latin word meaning “to see.” Instrument comes from a Latin word meaning “tool.” Reference means something you look back to for information. Together, the phrase points to the seeing cues and panel tools a pilot uses for control.
Why Pilots Care
Pilots must switch between these two sets of references to maintain aircraft attitude and prevent spatial disorientation when visibility changes.
Intuition Check
Do not read “references” as books or written sources here. In this context, references are the cues a pilot uses for control: what can be seen outside and what the instruments show.
Example Sentence 1
During the climb, the instructor had the student practice shifting between visual and instrument references to maintain a steady pitch attitude.
Example Sentence 2
When entering the clouds the pilot shifted primary attention from visual references to instrument references to maintain straight-and-level flight.