Precise Heading Control

CHAPTER THREE

T-34C INSTRUMENTS

Off airspeed and on altitude. If your scan notes that altitude is being maintained,

but our airspeed is slow or fast, you know a power adjustment is necessary, since

power controls airspeed in level flight. Remember, each torque setting given in this

manual is a suggested starting point.

On airspeed and off altitude. If you notice your altimeter reading is 100 feet high,

yet the airspeed is correct, you correct to altitude by reducing power, which allows

the trim to lower the nose slightly to return to altitude with no increase in airspeed.

Once returned to altitude, reset normal cruise power setting and retrim. The new

power setting should be slightly less than original setting.

Off altitude and off airspeed. If your scan detects a fast airspeed and a small loss of

altitude or a slow airspeed and a gain in altitude, it is obviously due to improper nose

attitude. Stabilize using the attitude gyro, then correct by trading excess airspeed for

altitude, followed by a power adjustment as necessary to maintain airspeed and retrim.

Precise Heading Control. Heading control in straight and level flight consists primarily of

maintaining a constant heading, or direction, on the RMI. In order to maintain a constant heading,

the aircraft should be trimmed for wings level balanced flight. If a gradual drift of the RMI is

detected, level the wings using the attitude gyro to stop the movement of the RMI. Once the drift is

stopped, return to heading by using a shallow AOB, never a greater AOB than the number of degrees

off heading. For small heading corrections, it is advisable to use a smaller degree of bank than the

error noted and rudder in the direction of turn. Use opposite rudder upon rollout.

5. The following illustrations will help you to understand how corrections for deviations are made

and what the flight instruments will depict while correcting back to original altitude.

3-4 BASIC INSTRUMENTS FLIGHT PROCEDURES