Straight-and-Level Flight Pitch Control Attitude Indicator The pitch attitude of an airplane is the angle between the  longitudinal axis of the airplane and the actual horizon. In  level flight, the pitch attitude varies with airspeed and load.  For training purposes, the latter factor can normally be  disregarded in small airplanes. At a constant airspeed, there is  only one specific pitch attitude for level flight. At slow cruise  speeds, the level flight attitude is nose high with indications  as in  Figure 7-1 ; at fast cruise speeds, the level-flight attitude  is nose low.  [Figure 7-2] Figure 7-3  shows the indications  for the attitude at normal cruise speeds. The instruments used  to determine the pitch attitude of the aircraft are the attitude  indicator, the altimeter, the vertical speed indicator (VSI),  and the airspeed indicator (ASI). The attitude indicator gives the direct indication of pitch  attitude. The desired pitch attitude is gained by using the  elevator control to raise or lower the miniature aircraft in  relation to the horizon bar. This corresponds to the way pitch  attitude is adjusted in visual flight by raising or lowering  the nose of the airplane in relation to the natural horizon.  However, unless the airspeed is constant, and until the  level flight attitude for that airspeed has been identified and  established, there is no way to know whether level flight  as  30.0  29.9  29.8  Figure 7-2. Pitch attitude and airspeed in level flight, fast  cruise speed. Figure 7-3. Pitch attitude and airspeed in level flight, normal  cruise speed. Figure 7-1. Pitch attitude and airspeed in level flight, slow  cruise speed. 30.0  29.9  29.8  30.0  29.9  29.8  7-2