Instrument Flight
Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents
Once again, first neutralize the controls and then analyze the performance and attitude instruments to
determine the best recovery.
With your airspeed above 150 KIAS, retard the throttle to idle to control airspeed and to minimize the loss
of altitude. If airspeed is rapidly increasing, extend the speed brakes as necessary. Either or both of
these procedures are used to control airspeed and altitude loss. Roll the aircraft to wings level in the
shortest direction and smoothly pull the nose up to the horizon. Do not attempt to raise the nose and roll
wings level at the same time (a “rolling pullout”) because this can overstress the aircraft. Complete the
recovery by readjusting the throttle for level flight.
Nose-low recovery:
Controls: Neutralize
Attitude: Analyze and evaluate
Throttle: Retard to idle with airspeed above 150 KIAS
Speed brakes: Extend (as required) if airspeed is rapidly increasing
Wings: Roll level in shortest direction to horizon
Nose: Pull to horizon
Throttle: Adjust for level flight
AEROBATICS
You will perform aerobatics in the BI syllabus to learn the standard aerobatic maneuvers while improving
your instrument scan and basic airwork, increasing your confidence and extending mastery over a larger
portion of the maneuvering envelope. As aerobatic flight improves your coordination, your timing, and
your ability to remain oriented, it also furthers your sense of feel for the T-45C. Practicing these
maneuvers will also be helpful when recovering from unusual attitudes.
You must know, understand, and observe all restrictions pertaining to aerobatics and be thoroughly
familiar with the capabilities and limitations of the T-45C aircraft (refer to NATOPS, chapter 4).
Aerobatic maneuvers will be initiated from an altitude that will enable you to complete the maneuver and
return to straight and level flight without descending below 10,000 ft AGL. You will have no visual
reference outside the cockpit during the BI phase; the ADI will be your primary attitude reference during
the maneuvers.
AILERON ROLL
A constant rate 360-degree roll about the aircraft’s longitudinal axis, the aileron roll is practiced to develop
your abilities to maintain lineup with a reference heading and to retain spatial orientation while flying
through the inverted position (Figure 10a).
Procedures
Complete the prestall and aerobatic checklist prior to performing the aileron roll. Begin the maneuver at
300 KIAS, on altitude, with the power set to approximately 89 percent rpm, and on a reference heading.
Raise the nose smoothly to 10 degrees above the horizon, then relax back-stick to stop the nose
movement. Apply aileron in either direction to produce a smooth, constant, and moderate rate of roll
through 360 degrees. Excess back stick pressure will result in the nose scooping out more than
10 degrees below the horizon. Complete the maneuver with the nose on the horizon on the original
heading and altitude.
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