VIII. A.

Straight and Level Flight__________________________________________

References: AC 60 – 14(Aviation Instructor’s Handbook)

FAA – H – 8083 – 3 (Airplane Flying Handbook)

Objective: To familiarize the SP with the elements and common errors associated
with straight and level flight.

Elements: 1. Effective use of the flight controls.

2. Integrated flight instruction method.
3. Outside and instrument references used for pitch , bank and power
-the crosscheck and interpretation of the instruments
-the control technique used
4. Trim technique!! TRIM IS YOUR FRIEND!!!!!
4. Methods to overcome tenseness, anxiety and over-controlling

Schedule: Preflight brief .2

IP demonstration .3
SP practice .5
Postflight evaluation .2

Equipment: Plane
View limiting device
Dry erase board and markers
Model aircraft

IP’s Actions: 1. Explain and discuss lesson objective and completion standards.
2. Straight and level flight – constant heading constant altitude
-make immediate smooth corrections for deviations detected by
scan and interpretation
3. Demonstrate S & L by reference to instruments
4. Direct SP to proper instrument scan
5. Evaluate SP’s proficiency; common errors
6. Post-flight critique and assign homework

SP’s Actions: 1. Come prepared with reading/homework completed, take notes

2. Discuss lesson objectives and completion standards
3. Practice techniques of S& L looking outside and instr. Scan

Standards: SP should demonstrate S & L smoothly within tolerances

- +/- 200 feet and +/-20 degrees

VIII.A Straight-and-Level Flight

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IP’s Notes: Straight and Level Flight:_______________________________________

Why:
Aircraft control is composed of four components: pitch, bank, and power control
and trim. By using all four of these one gets a better feel for the plane. Pitch must
remain constant to maintain altitude; bank must be monitored to maintain heading.
Power control is vital to airspeed in conjunction with pitch. Trim is important to relieve
control pressures so as to lesson the pilot’s workload.

What:
S & L is flight in which a constant heading and altitude are maintained. This is
accomplished by making small corrections for deviations.

Development:

Effective use of the flight controls:

1. Pitch control – by using the elevator; applying back pressure decreas-
es elevator’s angle of attack which results in increased downforce.
Forward pressure decreases the negative angle of attack. A negative
angle of attack is incorporated into the aircraft’s design.
2. Ailerons: roll
3. Rudder: yaw – nose slides back and forth
4. Trim: secondary flight control, reduces control forces.

Integrated flight instruction:

1. Instruction by outside references is integrated with instruction using
the instruments. This develops good cross-check and scan methods.

Outside and instrument references, cross-check:

1. Pitch attitude selected by using some portion of the nose or glareshield
as a reference. Keep that point fixed relative to the horizon, cross-
check with ALT and VSI . Adjust and check again.
2. Use the AI for pitch information.
3. To achieve straight flight, select two or more outside visual references
to form an imaginary line and keep aircraft on that line.
4. Both wingtips should be equidistant above or below horizon. This
also helps to divert attention outside to look for traffic.
5. Keep power setting the same. Increase power, decrease pitch and de-
crease power, increase pitch.

Trim technique:
1. S & L requires almost no application of control pressure.
2. Hands off flight

VIII.A Straight-and-Level Flight

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 3. First apply pressure to establish the desired attitude, adjust trim.
Methods to overcome tenseness, anxiety and overcontrolling:
1. Suggest SP use only finger tips to avoid white knuckles
2. Make the flight a pleasurable experience.
3. Demonstrate the maneuver to SP. Ask them to place hands on
controls and follow you through the maneuver and direct them to
outside references. Slowly release yoke and allow SP to shine!

Common errors:
1. Failure to cross-check and interpret outside and instrument ref-
erences.
2. Too rough on the control movements, jerky; use pressure instead.
3. Uncoordinated use of flight controls. This usually occurs when head-
ing

VIII.A Straight-and-Level Flight

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