TERMIUM Plus®
The Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank.
PITCH DOWN ATTITUDE [7 records]
Record 1 - internal organization data 2019-07-11
Record 1, English
Record 1, Subject field(s)
- Flight Controls (Aeroindustry)
- Flight Instruments and Equipment (Aeroindustry)
- Aircraft Piloting and Navigation
Record 1, Main entry term, English
- pitch command
1, record 1, English, pitch%20command
correct
Record 1, Abbreviations, English
Record 1, Synonyms, English
Record 1, Textual support, English
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The command bars move up for a climb or down for descent, and roll left or right to provide lateral guidance. They display the computed angle of bank for standard-rate turns to enable the pilot to reach and fly a selected heading or track. The bars also show pitch commands that allow the pilot to capture and fly an ILS [instrument landing system] glide slope, a preselected pitch attitude, or maintain a selected barometric altitude. 2, record 1, English, - pitch%20command
Record 1, French
Record 1, Domaine(s)
- Commandes de vol (Constructions aéronautiques)
- Instruments et équipement de bord (Constructions aéronautiques)
- Pilotage et navigation aérienne
Record 1, Main entry term, French
- directive en tangage
1, record 1, French, directive%20en%20tangage
correct, feminine noun, officially approved
Record 1, Abbreviations, French
Record 1, Synonyms, French
Record 1, Textual support, French
Record number: 1, Textual support number: 1 OBS
directive en tangage : terme uniformisé par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie aéronautique (CUTA)- Opérations aériennes. 2, record 1, French, - directive%20en%20tangage
Record 1, Spanish
Record 1, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Mandos de vuelo (Industria aeronáutica)
- Instrumentos y equipo de vuelo (Industria aeronáutica)
- Pilotaje y navegación aérea
Record 1, Main entry term, Spanish
- comando de cabeceo
1, record 1, Spanish, comando%20de%20cabeceo
correct, masculine noun
Record 1, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 1, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 1, Textual support, Spanish
Record 2 - internal organization data 2015-08-31
Record 2, English
Record 2, Subject field(s)
- Flight Controls (Aeroindustry)
- Aircraft Maneuvers
Record 2, Main entry term, English
- elevator
1, record 2, English, elevator
correct, standardized
Record 2, Abbreviations, English
Record 2, Synonyms, English
Record 2, Textual support, English
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
A movable horizontal airfoil, usually attached to the horizontal stabilizer on the tail, that is used to control pitch[;] it usually changes the attitude of the nose, making it move up and down. 2, record 2, English, - elevator
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
control surface: Any external moveable part of an aircraft designed to help it change orientation or speed, not including the propeller. The most commonly used control surfaces are ailerons, elevator, rudder, flaps, and spoilers. 3, record 2, English, - elevator
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
elevator: term standardized by ISO and NATO. 4, record 2, English, - elevator
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 PHR
Up-elevator, horizontal elevator. 5, record 2, English, - elevator
Record 2, French
Record 2, Domaine(s)
- Commandes de vol (Constructions aéronautiques)
- Manœuvres d'aéronefs
Record 2, Main entry term, French
- gouverne de profondeur
1, record 2, French, gouverne%20de%20profondeur
correct, feminine noun, standardized, officially approved
Record 2, Abbreviations, French
Record 2, Synonyms, French
- profondeur 2, record 2, French, profondeur
feminine noun, officially approved
- gouvernail de profondeur 3, record 2, French, gouvernail%20de%20profondeur
masculine noun, obsolete
Record 2, Textual support, French
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Volet mobile situé sur le bord de fuite du plan horizontal de l'empennage. 4, record 2, French, - gouverne%20de%20profondeur
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 CONT
gouverne : Chacun des organes utilisés pour obtenir la rotation d'un aéronef autour de ses trois axes : tangage (gouverne de profondeur), roulis (gouverne latérale), lacet (gouverne de direction) et constitués, généralement, par des plans mobiles actionnés par le pilote au moyen du palonnier (lacet) et du manche à balai (tangage et roulis). 5, record 2, French, - gouverne%20de%20profondeur
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 OBS
gouverne de profondeur : terme normalisé par l'ISO et l'OTAN. 6, record 2, French, - gouverne%20de%20profondeur
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 2 OBS
gouverne de profondeur; profondeur : termes uniformisés par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie aéronautique (CUTA) - Opérations aériennes. 6, record 2, French, - gouverne%20de%20profondeur
Record 2, Spanish
Record 2, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Mandos de vuelo (Industria aeronáutica)
- Maniobras de las aeronaves
Record 2, Main entry term, Spanish
- timón de altura
1, record 2, Spanish, tim%C3%B3n%20de%20altura
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 2, Synonyms, Spanish
- timón de cabeceo 2, record 2, Spanish, tim%C3%B3n%20de%20cabeceo
correct, masculine noun
- timón de profundidad 1, record 2, Spanish, tim%C3%B3n%20de%20profundidad
correct, masculine noun
Record 2, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 2, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Superficie aerodinámica móvil situada en posición horizontal y en el empenaje de cola que permite realizar el control de profundidad. 3, record 2, Spanish, - tim%C3%B3n%20de%20altura
Record 3 - internal organization data 2012-08-21
Record 3, English
Record 3, Subject field(s)
- Aircraft Piloting and Navigation
- Aircraft Maneuvers
Record 3, Main entry term, English
- standard rate turn
1, record 3, English, standard%20rate%20turn
correct
Record 3, Abbreviations, English
Record 3, Synonyms, English
- rate one turn 2, record 3, English, rate%20one%20turn
correct, standardized
- rate-one-turn 3, record 3, English, rate%2Done%2Dturn
correct
- rate 1 turn 4, record 3, English, rate%201%20turn
correct
- standard rate one turn 5, record 3, English, standard%20rate%20one%20turn
Record 3, Textual support, English
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The turn rate of 3° per second normally used by aircraft operating at less than 250 kt [knots]. 6, record 3, English, - standard%20rate%20turn
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The attitude indicator shows rotation about both the longitudinal axis to indicate the degree of bank, and about the lateral axis to indicate pitch(nose up, level or nose down)... The principal parts of interest to the pilot are : The miniature wings attached to the case remain parallel to the wings of the aircraft. The horizon bar which separates the top(light) and bottom(dark) halves to the ball. The degree marks on the upper periphery of the dial. The first 3 on both sides of center are 10 degrees apart, then 60 degree bank marks, and 90 degree bank marks. Fifteen degrees of bank is called a standard rate turn. 7, record 3, English, - standard%20rate%20turn
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
The turn indicator indicates the rate of the turn, not the amount of the turn. Thus a standard rate, or rate one, turn will give a rate of turn of 3 degrees per second, or 360 degrees in two minutes. 8, record 3, English, - standard%20rate%20turn
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
rate one turn: term and definition standardized by the Glossary for Pilots and Air Traffic Services Personnel Committee. 9, record 3, English, - standard%20rate%20turn
Record 3, French
Record 3, Domaine(s)
- Pilotage et navigation aérienne
- Manœuvres d'aéronefs
Record 3, Main entry term, French
- virage à taux standard
1, record 3, French, virage%20%C3%A0%20taux%20standard
correct, masculine noun
Record 3, Abbreviations, French
Record 3, Synonyms, French
- virage au taux standard 2, record 3, French, virage%20au%20taux%20standard
correct, masculine noun
- virage au taux 1 3, record 3, French, virage%20au%20taux%201
correct, masculine noun
- virage de taux un 4, record 3, French, virage%20de%20taux%20un
correct, masculine noun, standardized
- virage standard au taux un 5, record 3, French, virage%20standard%20au%20taux%20un
masculine noun, officially approved
Record 3, Textual support, French
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 DEF
Taux de virage, de 3° par seconde, normalement utilisé par les aéronefs évoluant à moins de 250 kt [nœuds]. 6, record 3, French, - virage%20%C3%A0%20taux%20standard
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Virage à taux standard. Lorsque les ailes de l'avion miniature sont alignées avec les petits traits à côté de «G» (gauche) et «D» (droite), l'appareil effectue un virage à taux standard, soit 3 degrés par seconde pour le Cessna 182RG. Cela signifie que l'appareil accomplit un tour complet de 360 degrés en deux minutes. 7, record 3, French, - virage%20%C3%A0%20taux%20standard
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 CONT
L'indicateur de virage indique le taux de virage et non l'amplitude. Le taux standard, ou virage au taux 1, est égal à 3 degrés par seconde ou 360 degrés en deux minutes. 8, record 3, French, - virage%20%C3%A0%20taux%20standard
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 1 OBS
virage standard au taux un : terme uniformisé par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie aéronautique (CUTA) - Opérations aériennes. 9, record 3, French, - virage%20%C3%A0%20taux%20standard
Record number: 3, Textual support number: 2 OBS
virage de taux un : terme et définition normalisés par le Comité sur le Glossaire à l'intention des pilotes et du personnel des services de la circulation aérienne. 10, record 3, French, - virage%20%C3%A0%20taux%20standard
Record 3, Spanish
Record 3, Textual support, Spanish
Record 4 - internal organization data 2010-04-16
Record 4, English
Record 4, Subject field(s)
- Aircraft Airframe
- Aircraft Maneuvers
Record 4, Main entry term, English
- elevator trim tab
1, record 4, English, elevator%20trim%20tab
correct, standardized
Record 4, Abbreviations, English
Record 4, Synonyms, English
- elevator trim 2, record 4, English, elevator%20trim
correct
Record 4, Textual support, English
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
... in order to trim an elevator to hold the nose down, the elevator's trim tab will actually rise up into the slipstream. The increased pressure on top of the trim tab surface caused by raising it will then deflect the entire elevator slab down slightly, causing the tail to rise and the aircraft's nose to move down. In the case of an aircraft where deployment of high-lift devices(flaps) would significantly alter the longitudinal trim, a supplementary trim tab is arranged to simultaneously deploy with the flaps so that pitch attitude is not markedly changed. 3, record 4, English, - elevator%20trim%20tab
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 2 OBS
elevator trim tab: term standardized by ISO. 4, record 4, English, - elevator%20trim%20tab
Record 4, French
Record 4, Domaine(s)
- Cellule d'aéronefs
- Manœuvres d'aéronefs
Record 4, Main entry term, French
- compensateur de profondeur
1, record 4, French, compensateur%20de%20profondeur
correct, masculine noun, standardized
Record 4, Abbreviations, French
Record 4, Synonyms, French
- volet de compensation de gouverne 2, record 4, French, volet%20de%20compensation%20de%20gouverne
masculine noun
- flettner de profondeur 3, record 4, French, flettner%20de%20profondeur
masculine noun
- trim profondeur 4, record 4, French, trim%20profondeur
masculine noun
Record 4, Textual support, French
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 CONT
[...] en tangage [...] le compensateur le plus courant (quasiment indispensable) est le compensateur de profondeur, qui contrôle l'appareil sur l'axe de tangage (tendance à piquer ou à cabrer). 5, record 4, French, - compensateur%20de%20profondeur
Record number: 4, Textual support number: 1 OBS
compensateur de profondeur : terme normalisé par l'ISO. 6, record 4, French, - compensateur%20de%20profondeur
Record 4, Spanish
Record 4, Textual support, Spanish
Record 5 - internal organization data 2007-03-22
Record 5, English
Record 5, Subject field(s)
- Aircraft Piloting and Navigation
- Launching and Space Maneuvering
Record 5, Main entry term, English
- pitch attitude
1, record 5, English, pitch%20attitude
correct, officially approved
Record 5, Abbreviations, English
Record 5, Synonyms, English
- body attitude 2, record 5, English, body%20attitude
correct, see observation
Record 5, Textual support, English
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 DEF
The attitude of an aircraft, rocket, or other flying vehicle, referred to the relationship between the longitudinal body axis and a chosen reference line or plane as seen from the side. 3, record 5, English, - pitch%20attitude
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
The attitude indicator shows rotation about both the longitudinal axis to indicate the degree of bank, and about the lateral axis to indicate pitch(nose up, level or nose down). It utilizes the rigidity characteristic of the gyro. It is gimbaled to permit rotation about the lateral axis indicating pitch attitude, and about the longitudinal axis to indicate roll attitude. 4, record 5, English, - pitch%20attitude
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
body attitude: term used for the B-767. 5, record 5, English, - pitch%20attitude
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 OBS
pitch attitude: term officially approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). 6, record 5, English, - pitch%20attitude
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 PHR
Constant pitch attitude. 7, record 5, English, - pitch%20attitude
Record 5, French
Record 5, Domaine(s)
- Pilotage et navigation aérienne
- Lancement et manœuvres dans l'espace
Record 5, Main entry term, French
- assiette en tangage
1, record 5, French, assiette%20en%20tangage
correct, feminine noun, officially approved
Record 5, Abbreviations, French
Record 5, Synonyms, French
- assiette de tangage 2, record 5, French, assiette%20de%20tangage
correct, feminine noun
- assiette longitudinale 3, record 5, French, assiette%20longitudinale
correct, feminine noun, officially approved
Record 5, Textual support, French
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 CONT
L'assiette de votre avion, plus précisément l'assiette longitudinale, est grossièrement ce qui fait voler l'avion, et cette assiette se pilote par le ... manche, d'avant en arrière! 4, record 5, French, - assiette%20en%20tangage
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 2 CONT
Le lacet est le mouvement latéral du nez de l'avion. L'assiette longitudinale, c'est-à-dire la position du nez par rapport à l'horizontale, reste constante bien que l'avion pivote vers la gauche ou vers la droite. Le lacet est contrôlé par la dérive sur l'empennage de l'avion. 5, record 5, French, - assiette%20en%20tangage
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 3 CONT
Le rôle de l'horizon artificiel est de définir la verticale du lieu, c'est-à-dire de donner au pilote les références avions, l'assiette longitudinale et l'inclinaison latérale. 6, record 5, French, - assiette%20en%20tangage
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
assiette en tangage; assiette longitudinale : termes uniformisés par l'Organisation de l'aviation civile internationale (OACI) et par le Comité d'uniformisation de la terminologie aéronautique (CUTA) - Opérations aériennes. 7, record 5, French, - assiette%20en%20tangage
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 PHR
Assiette longitudinale constante. 8, record 5, French, - assiette%20en%20tangage
Record 5, Spanish
Record 5, Campo(s) temático(s)
- Pilotaje y navegación aérea
- Lanzamiento y maniobras en el espacio
Record 5, Main entry term, Spanish
- actitud en cabeceo
1, record 5, Spanish, actitud%20en%20cabeceo
correct, feminine noun, officially approved
Record 5, Abbreviations, Spanish
Record 5, Synonyms, Spanish
Record 5, Textual support, Spanish
Record number: 5, Textual support number: 1 OBS
actitud en cabeceo : término aceptado oficialmente por la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional (OACI). 2, record 5, Spanish, - actitud%20en%20cabeceo
Record 6 - internal organization data 2002-07-05
Record 6, English
Record 6, Subject field(s)
- Astrophysics and Cosmography
- Aircraft Piloting and Navigation
Record 6, Main entry term, English
- inertial acceleration
1, record 6, English, inertial%20acceleration
correct
Record 6, Abbreviations, English
Record 6, Synonyms, English
Record 6, Textual support, English
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
To recover from the microburst, the crew apply maximum power and pitch up toward an angle that can attain 15 degrees. The inertial acceleration(acceleration in reference to the ground, as opposed to acceleration within the airmass) experienced by the pilots, combined with the unstable attitude of the aircraft may cause a dangerous illusion. The pilots may believe that the aircraft has reached a very high excess energy and thus, try to pitch down or reduce the engine power. In reality, the aircraft performance is still low as it penetrates the energy-reducing downdraft and tailwind components of the microburst. 2, record 6, English, - inertial%20acceleration
Record 6, French
Record 6, Domaine(s)
- Astrophysique et cosmographie
- Pilotage et navigation aérienne
Record 6, Main entry term, French
- accélération inertielle
1, record 6, French, acc%C3%A9l%C3%A9ration%20inertielle
correct, feminine noun
Record 6, Abbreviations, French
Record 6, Synonyms, French
Record 6, Textual support, French
Record number: 6, Textual support number: 1 CONT
Rossby (nombre de) : Quantité sans dimension, utile dans l'étude du mouvement des atmosphères planétaires et égale au rapport de l'accélération inertielle (force d'inertie) à l'accélération de Coriolis due à la rotation de la planète. 2, record 6, French, - acc%C3%A9l%C3%A9ration%20inertielle
Record 6, Spanish
Record 6, Textual support, Spanish
Record 7 - internal organization data 1980-04-14
Record 7, English
Record 7, Subject field(s)
- Air Transport
Record 7, Main entry term, English
- pitch down attitude 1, record 7, English, pitch%20down%20attitude
Record 7, Abbreviations, English
Record 7, Synonyms, English
Record 7, Textual support, English
Record 7, French
Record 7, Domaine(s)
- Transport aérien
Record 7, Main entry term, French
- assiette à piquer 1, record 7, French, assiette%20%C3%A0%20piquer
Record 7, Abbreviations, French
Record 7, Synonyms, French
Record 7, Textual support, French
Record number: 7, Textual support number: 1 OBS
terme d'usage obligatoire au Bureau des Traductions. 2, record 7, French, - assiette%20%C3%A0%20piquer
Record 7, Spanish
Record 7, Textual support, Spanish
Copyright notice for the TERMIUM Plus® data bank
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2025
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
A product of the Translation Bureau
Features
Language Portal of Canada

Access a collection of Canadian resources on all aspects of English and French, including quizzes.
Writing tools

The Language Portal’s writing tools have a new look! Easy to consult, they give you access to a wealth of information that will help you write better in English and French.
Glossaries and vocabularies

Access Translation Bureau glossaries and vocabularies.
- Date Modified: