Basic Instrument Maneuvers
Instrument Flight
BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS
No matter how accomplished your instrument pilotage--regardless of how well you navigate on the
airways or handle any type of approach--your skills originate with basic instruments. Flying the aircraft
effectively, accurately, and safely reflects your ability to fly basic instrument maneuvers.
Everything that you do with an airplane in flight is accomplished through the application of a few basic
maneuvers, singly or in combination--climbs and descents, turns, speed changes, and the transitions in
and out of those maneuvers are the building blocks. For example, a complex TACAN or ILS approach is
made up of nothing more than a series of turns, descents, speed changes, and transitions performed in a
specific sequence. Your success in the instrument phase, particularly in the advanced stages of Radio
Instruments and Airways Navigation, will ultimately depend on your ability to fly the basic instrument flight
maneuvers.
Two things that will be repeatedly emphasized during instrument training are scan and trim. The key to
executing basic instrument maneuvers successfully is to know the procedures and integrate control and
scan efficiently. The ADI is at the center of your scan for most maneuvers and that you will have to trim
continuously to maintain smooth and precise control of the aircraft.
NOTE: Students should read and be familiar with the Training Wing In-Flight Guide, but will not normally
be responsible for area management while conducting BI events.
INSTRUMENT TAKEOFF (ITO)
The instrument takeoff maneuver is designed to give you confidence in taking off into a low ceiling or in
conditions of poor visibility.
When you perform an ITO in the aircraft, your instructor will maintain control of the aircraft until
approximately 80 KIAS, at which time he will give the aircraft to you. In the simulator you will, of course,
perform the entire ITO. When the instructor initiates the transfer of control, you will acknowledge, “I have
the aircraft,” and apply slight forward pressure on the stick. Your instructor will then reply, “You have the
aircraft.” If required, your instructor may call, “Check left” or “Check right” to maintain heading control.
Respond by using rudder to change heading 2 degrees in the appropriate direction.
Begin the ITO by lining the aircraft up on the centerline of the runway and noting the heading as displayed
on the ADI. Runways are numbered to the nearest 10 degrees and you might see as much as 5 degrees
difference in your heading system.
Hold the brakes and advance the power to MRT (Maximum-Rated Thrust). Perform your engine
instrument checks, release the brakes, and start the takeoff roll. Maintain directional control with nose
wheel steering while scanning/checking the engine instruments and monitoring airspeed. Because you
are primarily monitoring airspeed as you anticipate the rotation speed of 120 KIAS, your scan should
continue to center on heading (ADI) and airspeed.
At 120 KIAS, smoothly rotate to a takeoff attitude of 10 degrees noseup. Maintain directional control with
the rudder and expect lift-off to occur at approximately 126-130 KIAS. Once airborne do not exceed
optimum AOA. When you have a positive indication of climb on both the VSI and altimeter and are safely
airborne, retract the gear with a minimum of 100 ft AGL. Once gear indicated up and locked (less than
200 KIAS), check gear handle for proper operation. If gear handle moves down with light pressure (less
than 6 pounds of force), remain below 200 KIAS, abort mission, place gear handle DOWN, and land as
soon as practical. Retract the flaps/slats with a minimum of 300 AGL and 140 KIAS wings level. From
rotation airspeed until you clean up the aircraft, center your scan on the ADI for pitch, bank, and heading
and on the airspeed indicator for speed, with quick checks of the altimeter and VSI prior to configuration
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