What would you expect to see on the attitude indicator when transitioning from straight-and-level to a constant 5-degree bank turn?

• A. The horizon remains level and only turn rate is visible.
• B. The instrument shows bank but not pitch.
• C. The aircraft symbol tilts nose up slightly.
• D. The artificial horizon tilts showing bank; if pitch remains constant, the aircraft symbol shows minimal pitch change while bank increases.

Answer: (D)

When you transition from straight-and-level into a shallow bank, the attitude indicator shows bank by the horizon tilting. The miniature airplane symbol remains fixed, so you interpret the bank from how the horizon line tilts, not from the airplane itself. With a constant 5-degree bank and no change in pitch, the horizon tilts by about 5 degrees, but the vertical position of the horizon relative to the fixed airplane doesn’t change much. That means you observe notable bank on the horizon while the aircraft symbol itself shows little to no pitch change. This matches the behavior described: the artificial horizon tilts to reflect bank; if pitch is unchanged, the aircraft symbol shows minimal pitch change while bank increases.