Instrument Flight
Constant Airspeed Climbs and Descents
It is very important, especially during partial panel work, that you keep the airplane trimmed at all times.
Bank angle: Approximately 10 percent of IAS
Throttle: As required to maintain airspeed
Pitch: As required to maintain altitude
Lead point for roll-out: None—roll out at the end of the computed time
LEVEL SPEED CHANGES
Because pitch attitude must continuously change to maintain constant altitude during the speed change,
you will need to pay close attention to pitch and trim. Thus, attitude control will be your primary problem in
all level speed changes.
As you adjust the power to begin the maneuver, the change in thrust will tend to cause the nose attitude to
rise or fall. As the airspeed and consequently the aerodynamic forces acting on the aircraft change, you
will have to adjust and trim the nose attitude to maintain level flight. Your scan, then, needs to include the
ADI for pitch and bank and the VSI and altitude trend indicator as the performance instruments for pitch. If
you decide to use the VSI as the performance instrument for pitch, you must guard against chasing its
movements. Proper trim technique will help you combat the tendency to chase the performance
instruments. Because of the rapid changes in aerodynamic forces during the maneuver, you will need to
adjust and trim the nose attitude continuously to maintain level flight.
WINGS LEVEL SPEED INCREASE
The power setting you use for increasing airspeed depends on the magnitude of the desired change. For
an airspeed increase of less than 20 kts, you should advance the throttle beyond the power setting for the
new airspeed, allowing the airspeed to increase, and then reduce the power to the approximate setting to
maintain the new airspeed.
For airspeed increases greater than 20 kts, advance the power to MRT. Then, at a lead of 5 kts from the
desired airspeed, reduce the throttle setting to approximately that required for the new speed. Use this
method when you practice the speed change from 200 to 250 KIAS in the T-45C.
Throttle: Beyond power setting for desired airspeed or MRT for changes greater than 20 kts
Pitch: Decrease as required to maintain level flight
Trim: As required
Lead point for power reduction: 5 kts prior to new airspeed
WINGS LEVEL SPEED DECREASE
To perform normal airspeed decreases, reduce the power below the power requirement for the desired
airspeed, allowing the airspeed to decrease, and then at a lead point of 5 kts, advance power as required
for the new airspeed. As airspeed decreases, more noseup trim will be required to maintain level flight.
When making large or rapid airspeed decreases, reduce the throttle to the power setting for the new
airspeed and extend and verify that the speed brakes are fully extended. When you extend the speed
brakes, expect a pitchup and anticipate the need to retrim the aircraft to maintain altitude. Because the
airspeed will rapidly decrease, you will need to use a 5-kt lead point to retract the speed brakes to avoid
undershooting your desired airspeed. Use this method when you practice the speed change from 250 to
200 KIAS in the T-45C.
Page 27
(4-01) Original
Previous Page
