Straight and Level Flight (S&L)

CHAPTER THREE

T-34C INSTRUMENTS

accelerates. Upon reaching the desired level off altitude, continue to trim left rudder

nose down, and allow the aircraft to accelerate towards normal cruise airspeed while

maintaining altitude. Two to three KIAS prior to 150 KIAS, smoothly reduce power

to 650700 ftlbs and retrim the aircraft to maintain level flight.

Common Errors

Not trimming right rudder, nose up for slowing airspeed.

Not switching to normal oxygen.

Initiating turns prior to establishing aircraft in a climb.

Not trimming throughout the ICA.

Not coordinating right rudder with initial power application, resulting in poor heading

control.

Raising the nose in reversals. The nose of the aircraft tends to pitch up as the wings

roll through the wings level attitudeforward pressure is necessary to maintain the

same nose attitude during reversals (if properly trimmed).

Overcorrecting for airspeed using abrupt nose attitude changes.

Attempting to correct for AOB using the bank index as a turn needle and rolling in

the wrong direction. Make bank corrections by initiating roll on the miniature aircraft

and then check the bank index.

Insufficient acceleration trim on level off, resulting in climbing past your altitude.

302.

STRAIGHT AND LEVEL FLIGHT (S&L)

Straight and level flight is a condition in which the aircraft is flown in balanced flight holding a

constant altitude and heading. The T34C can be flown in straight and level flight at varying

airspeeds. During the Basic Instrument Stage, the most common condition, known as normal

cruise, is 150 KIAS.

Your instructor will introduce straight and level flight at normal cruise. As you gain

experience, you will be able to maintain the straight and level attitude of the aircraft while in

instrument flight. At first, however, keeping the aircraft in the straight and level flight attitude

will be a matter of conscientious control adjustment.

For straight and level flight, it is necessary that airspeed, heading, and altitude be

maintained. Again, the power primarily controls the airspeed while maintaining altitude.

Reducing power will cause the airspeed to slow; increasing power will cause the airspeed to

increase. While maintaining a constant power setting, however, lowering the nose will cause the

airspeed to increase and raising the nose will cause the airspeed to decrease with a respective loss

3-2 BASIC INSTRUMENTS FLIGHT PROCEDURES