Basic Instrument Maneuvers
Instrument Flight
CONSTANT AIRSPEED CLIMB
When beginning at normal cruise airspeed, maintain heading and advance the throttle to MRT.
Simultaneously establish a noseup attitude of 8 to 10 degrees on the ADI to maintain 250 KIAS. During
the climb, use small nose attitude changes to maintain airspeed. Trim as necessary during the climb to
maintain a very light feel on the stick. Include the ADI (for pitch and bank control) and the airspeed
indicator (for airspeed information) in your scan during the entry and to maintain the climb. An occasional
glance at the altimeter during the climb will let you know when you are nearing the lead point, at which
time you’ll incorporate the altimeter fully into your scan. When the aircraft reaches a lead point of 10
percent of VSI (for example, if the climb rate is 3,000 fpm, initiate the level off 300 ft prior to reaching the
desired altitude), simultaneously reduce power to cruise and set nose attitude to maintain level flight. You
should scan the ADI and altimeter during the period with occasional checks of airspeed from lead point to
altitude because you will be trying to arrive at a pitch attitude that represents level flight at the same time
you reach the altitude. Once you are established in level flight, retrim the aircraft.
Constant airspeed climb--normal cruise entry and exit:
Throttle: MRT
Pitch: Initially 8-10 degrees noseup to maintain 250 KIAS, then as required to maintain
airspeed. Beginning in RI stage, lower the nose to approximately 3 degrees and accelerate to
300 KIAS at 10,000 ft. Adjust nose and trim as necessary to maintain 300 KIAS climb until
intercepting .72 indicated mach number (IMN). This occurs at approximately 25,000 ft.
Level off: Lead by 10 percent of VSI or 1,000 ft prior if the VSI is pegged at +6,000 fpm.
Throttle: Cruise (see table of cruise airspeeds and fuel flows in INSTRUMENT FLIGHT
PLANNING). For BI stage maintain 250 KIAS in the climb. Plan to level at 250 KIAS at an
altitude specified by your instructor. For level flight at 250 KIAS set approximately 1200 pph
at 15,000 ft MSL.
Pitch: Adjust for level flight
Trim: Adjust for level flight
To initiate a climb from a cruise airspeed lower than desired climb airspeed, advance power to MRT while
trimming the nose down as required to maintain level flight. When the airspeed approaches a 5-KIAS lead
point, smoothly raise the nose to maintain climb airspeed (250 KIAS less than 10,000 MSL, 300 KIAS/.72
IMN above). You are actually accomplishing two separate maneuvers in this instance: a level speed
change followed by a constant airspeed climb. Your scan needs to change with the maneuver being
performed. Be sure that your scan includes the ADI for pitch, bank, and heading control, and the VSI and
altimeter for pitch performance during the acceleration to desired airspeed. During the climb be sure that
you scan the ADI for pitch and bank control and the airspeed indicator for airspeed performance.
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