What does an attitude indicator display?

The attitude indicator displays the airplane's altitude in relation to the horizon, which is crucial for pilots to understand the aircraft's orientation in three-dimensional space. This instrument shows whether the wings of the aircraft are level and whether the nose is pointed up or down relative to a standard horizon line. Having this information is essential, especially in conditions where visual cues are limited, such as in clouds or at night. Accurate readings from the attitude indicator help pilots maintain control of the aircraft and ensure safe maneuvering.

Other options focus on different aspects of flight data that the attitude indicator does not provide. For instance, speed and rate of climb relate to performance metrics, while landing gear configuration deals with operational readiness during landing and takeoff, neither of which are the functions of the attitude indicator.