Basic Instrument Maneuvers

Question 1

What are some common student errors in performing basic maneuvers under simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 1

Fixation, omission, and emphasis errors during instrument cross-check
Improper instrument interpretation
Improper control application
Failure to establish proper pitch, bank, or power adjustments during altitude, heading, or airspeed corrections
Faulty trim procedure
Improper entry/level-off in climbs/descents
Improper entry/rollout in turns to headings

Question 2

What are the steps for performing straight and level flight under simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 2

Establish definite altitude, heading, cruise power setting and airspeed
Trim for “hands-off” flight
Maintain level flight by reference to attitude indicator, cross-checking altimeter and VSI
Maintain straight flight by reference to DG, cross-checking attitude indicator and turn coordinator

Question 3

What standards are expected of a student for straight and level flight in simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 3

Shows knowledge of attitude instrument flying
Maintains straight and level flight solely by reference to instruments
Maintains altitude +/-200’
Maintains heading +/-20*
Maintains airspeed +/-10kts

Question 4

What are the steps for performing a straight, constant airspeed climb under simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 4

Raise miniature aircraft on AI to appropriate nose high attitude
Apply light back pressure to maintain climb attitude
Advance power to climb setting
ASI is primary instrument for pitch, DG is primary for bank

Question 5

What standards are expected of a student for constant airspeed climbs in simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 5

Shows knowledge of attitude instrument flying in climbs
Demonstrates climbs solely by reference to instruments
Transitions smoothly to climb attitude and power setting
Maintains altitude +/-200’
Maintains heading +/-20*
Maintains airspeed +/-10kts

Question 6

What are the steps for performing a constant airspeed descent under simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 6

Reduce power to predetermined value
Maintain back pressure until airspeed slows to desired descent speed
Lower miniature aircraft on AI to appropriate descent pitch
Retrim aircraft after descent is stabilized
Control airspeed with pitch and descent rate with power

Question 7

What standards are expected of a student for performing constant airspeed descents in simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 7

Shows knowledge of attitude instrument flying in descents
Demonstrates descents solely by reference to instruments
Transitions smoothly to descent attitude and power setting
Maintains altitude +/-200’
Maintains heading +/-20*
Maintains airspeed +/-10kts

Question 8

What are the steps for performing turns to headings under simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 8

Apply coordinated aileron and rudder pressure
Use AI to establish approximate bank angle, and check turn coordinator to verify standard rate
Cross-check altimeter, VSI, and AI, and make necessary pitch adjustments
Lead rollout by 1/2 bank angle prior to desired heading
Roll out using coordinated aileron and rudder
Adjust pitch attitude for potential altitude gain on rollout

Question 9

What standards are expected of a student performing turns to headings in simulated instrument conditions?

Answer 9

Shows knowledge of attitude instrument flying in turns to headings
Demonstrates turns to headings solely by reference to instruments
Transitions smoothly to level turn attitude with coordinated use of controls
Maintains altitude +/-200’
Maintains standard rate turn
Rolls out on heading +/-10*
Maintains airspeed +/-10kts

Question 10

Define unusual flight attitudes.

Answer 10

Outside visual references are inadequate or lost
Excessively nose-high attitude, approaching stall
Excessive bank angle, may result in steep, downward spiral

Question 11

What are some indications of an excessively nose-high unusual flight attitude?

Answer 11

Decreasing airspeed on ASI
Increasing altitude on altimeter
Positive rate on VSI
Bank or turn indicated on AI, DG, or turn coordinator

Question 12

What are the recovery procedures for an excessively nose-high unusual flight attitude?

Answer 12

Reduce pitch
Increase power
Level wings as necessary

Question 13

What are some indications of a nose-low unusual flight attitude?

Answer 13

Increasing airspeed on the ASI
Decreasing altitude on the altimeter
Negative rate on the VSI
Bank or turn on the AI, DG, or turn coordinator

Question 14

What are the recovery procedures from a nose-low unusual flight attitude?

Answer 14

Reduce power
Level the wings
Raise the nose gradually

Question 15

Should the attitude indicator (AI) be relied upon for detecting and recovering from an unusual flight attitude?

Answer 15

No, the AI might tumble, providing no/unreliable information
Determine pitch from altimeter, ASI, and VSI
Determine bank from turn coordinator (and DG)

Question 16

What standards are expected of students in recovery from unusual flight attitudes?

Answer 16

Shows knowledge of attitude instrument flying during unusual attitudes
Recognizes unusual attitudes solely by reference to instruments
Recovers promptly to stabilized, level flight
Proper instrument interpretation and cross-check
Smooth, coordinated, sequential control application

Question 17

What are some common student errors in recovering from unusual flight attitudes?

Answer 17

Failure to recognize an unusual flight attitude
Attempting to recover by “feel,” rather than by instrument indications
Not following correct control sequences in recovery
Failure to recognize instrument indications that airplane is passing through level flight attitude