Basic Transitions Procedures

CHAPTER FIVE

T-6A CONTACT

NOTE

A technique for clearing turns is to use 15 of bank for 30 of turn

either side of present heading or, if directed, the instructor provided

heading. Don't focus on flying perfect clearing turns at the

expense of actually clearing traffic around you.

Your cockpit references will vary by the type of transition. During climb and descents, the

airspeed indicator becomes the nose attitude crosscheck instrument. The EHSI remains the

crosscheck for wings level (constant heading). Leveling off from a climb or descent, the

altimeter and vertical speed indicator become the nose attitude crosscheck instruments.

512.

BASIC TRANSITIONS PROCEDURES

Climb-to-Cruise Transition:

200 feet prior to level-off altitude, begin lowering nose toward the level flight attitude.

Five knots prior to desired cruise airspeed:

Power smoothly reduce to normal cruise, 54% (fast cruise, 80%).

Attitude set level flight picture

Trim as necessary to remove all pressures from the flight controls and check the balance

ball centered (coordinated flight).

Cruise-to-Climb Transition:

Power - smoothly advance power to max.

Attitude - raise the nose to 12-15 nose high (nose attitude slightly above the 180-knot

climbing attitude shown in Figure 5-4).

Trim as required and commence clearing turns as appropriate.

NOTE

As described in the following procedures, climbs greater than

1000 feet are accomplished at the normal 180 KIAS, accompanied

by clearing turns. Climbs of 1000 feet or less will be done at max

power and cruise airspeed (200 or 240 KIAS) without clearing

turns. In order to maintain airspeed, cruise airspeed climbs

necessitate milder pitch changes than described in the procedures

below.

As airspeed decreases to 180 KIAS, lower nose slightly to the normal climbing attitude, 8

nose high (Figure 5-4).

5-8

FLIGHT PROCEDURES