Objective:

To develop the student's cross reference of the aircrafts instruments and recognize unusual flight attitudes.

Elements:

  1. Explain which instruments are used for pitch, bank, and power control, and how those instruments are used to maintain altitude, heading, and airspeed.
  2. Demonstrate transition to desired pitch attitude and power setting using proper instrument interpretation and cross-check while maintaining coordinated flight.
  3. Maintain altitude, ±200 feet (60 meters); maintain a standard rate turns and roll out on the assigned headings, ±20°; and maintain airspeed, ±10 knots.
  4. Use proper trim technique.
  5. Describe conditions and situations that may result in unusual flight attitudes.
  6. The two basic unusual flight attitudes - nose-high (climbing turn) and nose-low (diving spiral).
  7. Recognize unusual flight attitudes solely by reference to instruments; recover promptly to a stabilized level flight attitude using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation and smooth, coordinated control application in the correct sequence.
  8. Give reasons why the controls should be coordinated during unusual flight attitude recoveries.

Common Errors:

  1. "Fixation," "Omission," and "Emphasis" errors during instrument cross-check.
  2. Improper instrument interpretation.
  3. Improper control applications.
  4. Failure to establish proper pitch, bank, and power adjustments during altitude, bank, and airspeed corrections.
  5. Improper entry or rollout technique.
  6. Faulty trim technique.
  7. Failure to recognize an unusual flight attitude.
  8. Consequences of attempting to recover from an unusual flight attitude by "feel" rather than by instrument indications.
  9. Inappropriate control applications during recovery.
  10. Failure to recognize from instrument indications when the airplane is passing through a level flight attitude.

References:

  • FAA Private and Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards
  • Instrument Flying Handbook (chapter 5)
  • Airplane Flying Handbook, pp 3-3, 16-12

Notes:

Inadvertant flight into IMC is an emergency.
Do 180 degree turn.
Worry about consequences later.
ATC can help, but you have to get yourself out of IMC.