Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents
Instrument Flight
Near the end of the last climb in the maneuver, prepare for the transition back to level flight: 3 seconds or
100 ft (whichever occurs first) prior to level off, reduce power to the level flight setting and begin lowering
the nose to the horizon. Be sure to control the rate of pitch change in order to reach level flight at the
same time you reach level off altitude.
Power setting: Climb approximately 1,500 pph; Descent approximately 700 pph
Pitch: Climb = 2-3 degrees noseup; Descent = 1-2 degrees nosedown
Clock: Cross-check with altitude for 250 ft every 15 seconds
VSI: Steady at 1,000 fpm
Airspeed: 200 KIAS
Heading: Hold constant
S-3 PATTERN
The S-3 pattern combines the climbs and descents of the S-1 pattern with two 180-degree 1/2 standard
rate turns. The turn is reversed at the beginning of the second descent. (See Figure 9.)
1,000 ft
1 min
Aircraft heading 090
200 KIAS
Trimmed
090
120
150
180
210
240
270
240
180
150
120
090
Figure 9: S-3 PATTERN
Once established at 200 KIAS, trimmed, and on assigned heading, begin the maneuver using a 3-second
lead on the clock and simultaneously initiating a timed 1/2 SRT and timed 1,000 fpm descent. Adjust the
AOB and 200-kt descent rate to arrive at the transition point of the descent or climb on time and on
heading. (Approximately 3 seconds prior to the twelve o’clock position, 5 degrees short of the 90-degree
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