artificial horizon

English

Noun

artificial horizon (plural artificial horizons)

1. (aviation) An instrument that displays the pitch and roll of an aircraft in flight by comparing its attitude to a gyroscopically-maintained indication of the flat horizon line.

   Synonyms: attitude indicator, gyro horizon, navball

2. (obsolete) A small trough containing mercury, the surface of which shows a reflection of the celestial bodies.

Translations

an instrument indicating orientation

• Portuguese: horizonte artificial m
• Russian: авиагоризо́нт (ru) m (aviagorizónt)

See also

• gyrocompass