What does the term "pitch" refer to in aviation?

In aviation, "pitch" refers to the rotation around the lateral axis of the aircraft. This lateral axis runs from wingtip to wingtip, and when an aircraft pitches, it moves the nose up or down relative to the horizon. This movement is crucial for controlling the altitude of the aircraft and is primarily achieved by the elevator control surface located on the tail.

Understanding pitch is vital for pilots, as it directly affects the aircraft's climb, descent, and level flight during various phases of flight, including takeoff and landing. Pilots manipulate the control stick or yoke, which in turn causes changes in the elevator's position, resulting in the desired pitch attitude.

The other options refer to different aerodynamic concepts. The rotation around the longitudinal axis relates to yaw, which affects the aircraft's left or right direction. The angle of ascent during takeoff would be a function of pitch but is not a definition of pitch itself. The speed of the aircraft pertains to its velocity and is not directly related to the concept of pitch.