What type of instrument is the Attitude Director Indicator (ADI)?

The Attitude Director Indicator (ADI) is classified as a flight instrument, which is essential for providing pilots with information about an aircraft's orientation relative to the horizon. This instrument specifically indicates whether the aircraft is climbing, descending, or turning, helping maintain controlled flight and navigate appropriately during various flight maneuvers.

Flight instruments like the ADI are crucial during critical phases of flight, especially in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) where visibility is poor. Understanding the aircraft’s attitude—its pitch and roll relative to the earth—is vital for safe operation. Other types of instruments, such as engine instruments or navigation instruments, provide different types of information necessary for monitoring aircraft performance and guiding flights, but they do not encompass the same role as flight instruments like the ADI in terms of aircraft orientation.