Primary and supporting refers to which concept?

• A. A method of attitude instrument flying using two separate instruments for redundancy.
• B. A method of attitude instrument flying using the instrument that provides the most direct indication of attitude and performance.
• C. A method of flight management using primary navigation data.
• D. A technique for autopilot control of attitude.

Answer: (B)

Primary and supporting refers to how you organize your reference instruments for attitude instrument flight. You designate the instrument that provides the most direct, reliable indication of the aircraft’s attitude and performance as the primary reference. The other instruments are used as supporting cross-checks to verify that reading and to provide additional flight information.

In practice, the attitude indicator often serves as the primary instrument because it shows pitch and bank directly. Supporting instruments—such as those that indicate altitude, airspeed, heading, vertical speed, and a turn cue—are used to confirm the primary reading and to alert you to any discrepancies or instrument failures. This approach helps manage workload and improves safety by ensuring you’re not relying on a single data source.

It’s not about redundancy alone, nor about primary navigation data, nor autopilot control of attitude.