Instrument Flight
Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents
The importance of keeping the aircraft correctly trimmed throughout these maneuvers can’t be
overemphasized. If you don’t have the aircraft trimmed, it is much more likely that you’ll end up chasing
the performance instruments.
CONSTANT RATE CLIMB
Entry speed for this maneuver is 200 KIAS (approximately 1,100 pph) at a specified altitude and heading.
Initiate a 1,000-fpm climb by advancing power to approximately 1,500 pph while establishing a noseup
attitude of approximately 2-3 degrees on the ADI display to maintain airspeed at 200 KIAS. Monitor your
heading on the ADI display and ensure that it does not vary during the climb. As a heading reference, set
your desired heading using the HDG option on the HSI display and deselect all navigation steering options
on the HSI display. By doing this, the command heading bug on the ADI display is positioned at the
heading you set on the HSI display HDG option.
During the climb, you will control airspeed with pitch and rate of climb with power. Accomplish the
transition to level flight just as you would for constant airspeed climbs. Lead the desired altitude by
10 percent of VSI, simultaneously reducing the throttle to cruise power and lowering the nose to level flight
attitude.
NOTE: Plan enroute cruise airspeed with fuel conservation in mind. Unless directed differently by an IP,
plan to fly the max range cruise IMN upon level off at altitude.
Constant rate climb entry and exit:
Throttle: 1,500 pph
Pitch: Adjust to maintain 200 KIAS (approximately 2-3 degrees noseup)
Trim: Adjust for airspeed
VSI: Maintain 1,000-fpm climb
Level off: Lead by 10 percent of VSI
Throttle: Reduce to approximately 1,100 pph
Pitch: Lower to level flight attitude
Trim: Adjust for level flight
CONSTANT RATE DESCENT
The constant rate descent is a mirror image of the constant rate climb. In a constant rate descent, you will
hold the rate of descent constant at 1,000 fpm and maintain an airspeed of 200 KIAS by simultaneously
using power and pitch to control the rate of descent and airspeed.
Entry speed for this maneuver is 200 KIAS. Initiate a 1,000-fpm descent by reducing power to
approximately 700 pph while establishing a nosedown pitch of approximately 1-2 degrees on the ADI
display to maintain airspeed at 200 KIAS. Monitor your heading on the ADI display and ensure that it
does not vary during the descent.
During the descent, you will control airspeed with pitch and rate of descent with power. A common
mistake in this maneuver is to attempt to control airspeed with power and descent rate with pitch. Avoid
making abrupt adjustments in response to VSI indications because you will find yourself chasing it.
Accomplish the transition to level flight just as you would for constant airspeed descents. Lead the
desired altitude by 10 percent of VSI, simultaneously advancing throttle to cruise power while establishing
a pitch reference for level flight.
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