AFH 3-5

Airplane attitude control is composed of four components: pitch control, bank (roll) control, power control, and trim. ⦁ Pitch control—controlling of the airplane’s pitch attitude about the lateral axis by using the elevator to raise and lower the nose in relation to the natural horizon or to the airplane’s flight instrumentation. ⦁ Bank control—controlling of the airplane about the airplane’s longitudinal axis by use of the ailerons to attain a desired bank angle in relation to the natural horizon or to the airplane’s instrumentation. ⦁ Power control—controlled by the throttle in most general aviation (GA) airplanes and is used when the flight situation requires a specific thrust setting or for a change in thrust to meet a specific objective. ⦁ Trim control—used to relieve the control pressures held by the pilot on the flight controls after a desired attitude has been attained. Note: Yaw control is used to cancel out the effects of yaw-induced changes, such as adverse yaw and effects of the propeller. Integrated Flight Instruction When introducing basic flight maneuvers to a beginning pilot, it is recommended that the “integrated” or “composite” method of flight instruction be used. This means the use of outside references and flight instruments to establish and maintain desired flight attitudes and airplane performance. When beginning pilots use this technique, they achieve a more precise and competent overall piloting ability. Although this method of airplane control may become second nature with experience, the beginning pilot needs to make a determined effort to master the technique. In all cases, a pilot’s visual skills need to be sufficiently developed for long-term, safe, and effective aircraft control. [Figure 3-5] Figure 3-5. Integrated flight instruction teaches pilots to use both external and instrument attitude references. The basic elements of integrated flight instruction are as follows: ⦁ The pilot visually controls the airplane’s attitude in reference outside to the natural horizon. Approximately 90 percent of the pilot’s attention should be devoted to outside visual references and scanning for airborne traffic. The process of visually evaluating pitch and bank attitude comes from a continuous stream of attitude information. When the pilot perceives that the attitude is other than desired, the pilot should make precise, smooth, and accurate flight control corrections to return the airplane to the desired attitude. Continuous visual checks of the outside references and immediate corrections made by the pilot minimize the chance for the airplane to deviate from the desired heading, altitude, and flightpath.