noseup

Nose up is a term used primarily in aviation to describe a pitch attitude in which the aircraft’s nose is raised above the horizon. It denotes a positive or nose-high attitude, as opposed to a nose-down attitude where the nose points toward the ground. The term can apply to airplanes, helicopters, and other fixed- or rotary-wing aircraft, and it is often used in flight manuals, training, and performance discussions.

Nose-up attitudes are produced by applying back pressure to the flight control that elevators or stabilizers respond to. In fixed-wing aircraft, pulling back on the control stick or yoke raises the nose and increases the angle of attack, which can improve climb performance and lift but reduces indicated airspeed. If the nose is raised excessively at low speed, the aircraft may approach a stall and lose lift. Pilots also use trim to maintain a desired nose-up attitude without continuous control input.

Instrumentation for measuring nose-up attitude includes the attitude indicator (artificial horizon) and, in some cases, pitch angle readouts that express the angle between the aircraft’s longitudinal axis and the horizon. It is distinct from angle of attack, which measures the difference between the wing’s chord line and the oncoming air.

Safety and training emphasize managing nose-up attitudes within the aircraft’s performance limits, recognizing factors such as airspeed, weight, and bank angle. Proper use of control, trim, and stall awareness mitigates risk during climbs, turns, and gusty conditions. See also pitch, attitude indicator, and stall.