Normal Flight
Familiarization
NORMAL FLIGHT
During this stage of your training, you will learn to perform level off, cruise, and turn pattern procedures as
well as accels and decels. These building-block procedures require mastery before you progress to
aerobatic flight.
LEVEL OFF
Begin level off 1,000 ft below your desired level off altitude. If your desired cruise speed will be the same
as your climb speed, level off by simultaneously reducing the power and adjusting the nose attitude so as
to execute a smooth transition to level flight. Trim as necessary to maintain your cruise speed at the
desired altitude. If your desired cruise speed is greater than your climb speed, begin level off as previously
described but leave your power at MRT and accelerate to the desired cruise speed. If your desired cruise
speed is less than your climb speed, level off as before but reduce the power to a little less than required
for your desired cruise speed. Fly the aircraft by exterior references, using your instruments for additional
information only. During the transition to level flight, set an attitude and then trim out stick pressures.
Complete the level off checklist by reporting altitude, airspeed, and heading to the instructor.
CRUISE PROCEDURES
Normal cruise will be flown at 250 KIAS at all altitudes in the FAM stage.
TURN PATTERN PROCEDURES
You will practice the turn pattern to develop smooth control techniques and to get acquainted with the
relationship between lift, AOA, and thrust required to maintain constant airspeed level flight through varying
angles of bank.
The turn pattern consists of two 30-degree angle of bank (AOB) turns for 60 degrees of heading change
each, two 45-degree AOB turns for 90 degrees of heading change each, and two 60-degree AOB turns for
120 degrees of heading change each. All turns are connected by smooth reversals. You will trim the
aircraft for a 250 KIAS level cruise prior to performing the maneuver (Figure 6).
NOTE: The turn pattern may be adjusted for weather and/or MOA boundaries.
PROCEDURES
The turn pattern commences from level flight at 250 KIAS, normally aligned on a cardinal heading.
Smoothly enter a 30-degree AOB turn in either direction. You will need to make slight adjustments in the
power and the nose attitude in order to maintain altitude and airspeed.
Just prior to reaching 60 degrees of heading change, initiate a smooth reversal to 30 degrees AOB in the
opposite direction. Make sure that you lead the reversal enough to accomplish the reversal on the desired
heading. You will need to adjust the nose attitude throughout the reversal to maintain a constant altitude.
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