Final answer:
A steady ALIGN light on the IR portion of the ADIRS panel indicates the inertial reference system is in the alignment process, which is critical to calibrating the aircraft's navigation systems before flight.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the ADIRS (Air Data Inertial Reference System) panel, commonly found in the cockpits of modern airliners. A steady ALIGN light on the IR (Inertial Reference) portion of the ADIRS panel generally indicates that the inertial reference system is currently in the process of aligning itself. This alignment process calibrates the aircraft's navigation systems to accurately determine the aircraft's position, heading, and velocity.
The time required for the alignment can vary, but it typically takes a few minutes and must be completed before the aircraft can taxi and take off. During alignment, the aircraft should remain stationary to ensure accurate results.