← All explained questions · Supplemental · VIII — Basic Instrument Maneuvers
On the attitude indicator, when the small airplane (representing your aircraft) shows the wings tilted 30° to the LEFT relative to the artificial horizon, the airplane is in a
Choices
30° right bank.
Reversed.
✓ 30° LEFT bank.correct
The attitude indicator's miniature airplane represents the actual airplane's wings. If they show tilted left relative to the gyro horizon (gyro stays earth-stable), the airplane IS banked left. The horizon is your reference; the airplane silhouette is your indication. Don't confuse this with a 'tumbling' AI which can show false attitudes during extreme maneuvers in older non-tumble-resistant units.
level flight, instrument is malfunctioning.
Banked indication = banked airplane (assuming no AI failure).
diving descent.
Bank is roll, not pitch.
Why
The attitude indicator's miniature airplane represents the actual airplane's wings. If they show tilted left relative to the gyro horizon (gyro stays earth-stable), the airplane IS banked left. The horizon is your reference; the airplane silhouette is your indication. Don't confuse this with a 'tumbling' AI which can show false attitudes during extreme maneuvers in older non-tumble-resistant units.
FAA source: PHAK Ch 8; PHAK Chapter 8 — Flight Instrumentsbrowse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.