Which HUD symbol provides the best indication of the aircraft's actual flight path?

• A. Flight path marker (FPM)
• B. Climb dive marker (CDM)
• C. Steer-to-point indicator
• D. W/L pitch reference

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is understanding how to read the aircraft’s actual movement through the sky from the HUD. The flight path marker shows your instantaneous flight path—the trajectory you’re currently following if you keep your present attitude and power settings. It represents where you’re actually going, taking into account pitch, roll, airspeed, and wind, so it aligns with the true motion of the airplane, not just where the nose is pointing.

This makes it the best indicator of your real path because other symbols serve guidance or orientation rather than a direct read of motion. The climb/dive marker illustrates vertical tendency, which helps with pitch control but doesn’t show your horizontal trajectory. The steer-to-point indicator guides you toward a waypoint, not your immediate flight path. The wings-level or pitch-reference cues indicate a target attitude or pitch to achieve a certain condition, but they don’t reflect where you will travel next under current conditions.