Flying Notes

Appearance

Straight-and-Level Flight ​

This page covers Task A. Straight-and-Level Flight from the FAA-S-8081-9E Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards.

Purpose ​

To develop ability to fly straight-and-level under instrument conditions, both with full and partial panel.

Instrument Flight ​

  • Two methods of performing attitude instrument flight
    • Control and Performance Method
      • Aircraft performance is accomplished by controlling the aircraft attitude and power output
      • Instruments broken up into control, performance, and navigation
      • Set the power and attitude, then monitor the performance and make adjustments
    • Primary and Supporting Method
      • Focuses more on the instruments that depict the most accurate indication for the aspect of the aircraft attitude being controlled
      • All changes to aircraft attitude need to be made using the attitude indicator and the power instruments
  • Primary and supporting instruments for straight-and-level flight
    • Primary
      • Altitude
        • Altimeter
      • Heading
        • Heading indicator
      • Speed
        • Airspeed indicator
    • Supporting
      • Altitude
        • VSI
        • Attitude indicator
      • Heading
        • Turn coordinator
        • Attitude indicator
      • Airspeed
        • Tach / manifold pressure
  • Primary vs secondary instruments
    • Example of primary instruments during straight-and-level flight:
      • Altimeter for altitude
      • Heading indicator for bank
      • Airspeed for power
    • Example when establishing a turn:
      • Attitude indicator is primary for bank
      • Turn coordinator is secondary for bank
  • Power vs control instruments
Instrument flying basics table. Reference unknown.
Aircraft instrument panel. Reference unknown.

Climbs / Descents ​

  • Enrich, pitch, power, trim
  • Climb / descend then turn

Partial Panel ​

  • Use magnetic compass / turn coordinator / GPS for heading
  • Use airspeed / VSI / altimeter for pitch
  • Zoom in on MFD moving map and keep airplane on magenta line

Completion Standards ​

FAA-S-ACS-8C Instrument Rating Airplane Airman Certification Standards

References ​

  • FAA-H-8083-15B Instrument Flying Handbook
    • Chapter 6 Section II: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying
      • Page 6-18: Control and Performance Method
      • Page 6-21: Primary and Supporting Method
    • Chapter 7: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers
      • Page 7-2: Straight-and-Level Flight