Types of Attitude Indicators: From Traditional to Digital Attitude Indicators

The attitude indicator is one of the six basic flight instruments found in any cockpit. At a glance, it gives the pilot a clear picture of the aircraft's relative position to the Earth's horizon. With one simple dial, the pilot can see whether the plane is climbing, banking or descending. Without it, a pilot has to cobble together a picture of the aircraft's attitude from other instruments such as the turn and bank indicator and vertical speed indicator.

While traditional gyroscope indicators are still found in many aircraft, new types of attitude indicators such as electric and digital versions are becoming more accessible for general aviation aircraft.

In 1916, inventor Lawrence Sperry tested attitude indicators as part of the military's push for instrument flight in World War I. In 1929, aviator Jimmy Doolittle made the first takeoff-to-landing instrument flight using a Sperry artificial horizon. By World War II, attitude indicators were common in military aircraft. And during the post-war aviation boom, many civilian aircraft were equipped with the technology.

Today, attitude indicators are found in nearly all aircraft, and many general aviation aircraft still use instruments based on the earliest technology. Beginning in 2003, the Federal Aviation Administration allowed the use of electric attitude indicators in non-commercial aircraft under 12,500 pounds as backups to the gyro systems. But they were considered a redundant system to the traditional units.

In 2015, the FAA began allowing aircraft under 6,000 pounds to use electronic indicators as their primary instrument. Now, types of attitude indicators range from steam gauges to fully digital instruments as the primary flight instrument.

With advances in digital instrument technology, pilots have a range of choices for a new attitude indicator in the instrument panel:

All-in-One Attitude Indicators

Even a small general aviation aircraft can have a glass cockpit like a business jet. The all-in-one primary flight displays incorporate the attitude indicator as well as aircraft heading, altitude, airspeed and vertical speed indicators. The digital panels are lighter and require less maintenance, helping reduce costs and enhancing the flying experience overall.

Choosing the right instrument for your aircraft will significantly affect your aircraft's performance and your flying experience. Here are five factors you should consider when deciding between attitude indicator types:

1. Performance: Look for a system that fits your typical flight envelope. A traditional vacuum or electric system delivers a high level of performance for many types of aircraft.
2. Maintenance: Consider the cost of maintenance in your decision. Electric attitude indicators have fewer maintenance requirements and potential points of failure than vacuum systems.
3. Weight: Electronic systems are typically lighter than vacuum systems so you can add payload, fuel or enjoy better performance. If you’re replacing a vacuum AI, the weight is already built into your airplane’s weight calculations.
4. Budget: Look for the most advanced system you can reasonably afford without compromising other areas of aircraft operation. Mechanical indicators may be more expensive over time, as they often require more repairs.
5. Flying experience: Adapting to new instruments, especially the full digital panel, will require training. It will also change the way you fly.

If you're unsure about what type of attitude indicator you need, talk to the experts at Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics. We offer a wide range of instruments for all levels of aircraft and provide expert service and support.