Chapter 2: Basic Instruments General Procedures

CHAPTER TWO

BASIC INSTRUMENTS GENERAL PROCEDURES

200.

INTRODUCTION

This section discusses and explains the fundamental flight maneuvers upon which all basic

instrument flying tasks and techniques are based. In learning to fly instruments, as in any

learning process, the fundamentals must be mastered before more coordinated maneuvers can be

learned.

201.

INSTRUMENT SCAN

Good instrument flight is attained by smooth "attitude control." Attitude control is attained by

visualizing and setting a desired power and attitude combination while studying and controlling

the miniature aircraft attitude on the attitude gyro, trimming the new attitude, and confirming this

attitude by scanning attitude crosscheck instruments. Once attitude control is mastered, setting

power and attitude to achieve exact performance attains professional instrument flight.

Setting an Attitude

All attitude changes must be accomplished on the attitude gyro. This means if a new

attitude is desired, an aviator must "go" completely to the gyro and "set" the attitude,

then remain focused on the gyro long enough to trim the new attitude to ensure that

the aircraft will remain in its new position. The common error is to move the scan too

rapidly to a crosscheck instrument before an attitude is actually "set." As a result of

this scan shift, the gyro (and aircraft) moving while the crosscheck instrument is

being "scanned." As an example, consider rolling out of a turn. An aviator sees his

heading approaching on the RMI, initiates his/her roll on the gyro to wings level, but

his/her eyes leave the gyro before he/she sets wings level in order to check the

heading. As a result, the aircraft continues to roll in the opposite direction and will

not maintain heading; also, the nose probably leaves the desired attitude. Avoid this

frustration by simply following a basic rule. Set the new attitude by stopping the

wings and nose in the desired positions with the stick, trimming if necessary. After

stabilizing the gyro, then crosscheck other instruments. Remember, all the other

instruments "lag" behind gyro movement, so use that "lag" time to your advantage for

setting the gyro attitude.

The P.A.T. PRINCIPLE. In most transitions from level flight, we will have to reset

power, attitude and retrim for our new attitude. The mechanics of transitions will be

performed in a specific sequence:

POWER

ii.

ATTITUDE

iii.

TRIM

BASIC INSTRUMENTS GENERAL PROCEDURES 2-1