The basic T arrangement of analog flight instruments.

At the bottom of the T is a heading indicator that functions as a compass but is driven by a gyroscope and not subject to the oscillations common to magnetic direction indicators.

Flight Instruments
The instruments used in controlling the aircraft’s flight attitude are known as the flight instruments.

There are basic flight instruments, such as the altimeter that displays aircraft altitude; the airspeed indicator; and the magnetic direction indicator, a form of compass.

Additionally, an artificial horizon, turn coordinator, and vertical speed indicator are flight instruments present in most aircraft. Much variation exists for these instruments, which is explained throughout this chapter.

Over the years, flight instruments have come to be situated similarly on the instrument panels in most aircraft.

This basic T arrangement for flight instruments is shown

The top center position directly in front of the pilot and copilot is the basic display position for the artificial horizon even in modern glass cockpits (those with solid-state, flat-panel screen indicating systems).