Expert: Ned Dolan - 10/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Can you please explain to, in simple terms, what ATTITUDE is in Aviation. Regards, JM Makua

ANSWER: Attitude describes the aircraft position in relation the the earth and thus in relation to gravity.

Pitch attitude is the fore and aft relationship. The aircraft can be level with the earth or pitched down (nose down) or pitched up  (nose up).

The lateral attitude describes the relationship between the wings and the earth. The wings can be level with the earth or banked to the right (right wing down) or banked to the left (left wing down).

I hope this answers your question.  

Ned

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks a lot Ned. In this context would there be such a things as a "bad attitude" for the aircraft? And if so, what would that be? Regards
Joe

Answer
Hi Joe, The only thing I can think of would be a pitch or roll attitude in excess of what would be considered normal. ie: pitch attitudes in excess of 20 degrees up or 10 degrees down or roll (bank) in excess of about 30 degrees.

These maximums are what would be normal in passenger carrying situations, but are normally exceeded in training situations and thus exceeding them would not reflect unsafe conditions, but would not be something you would do with passengers on board.  

Ned