Straight-and-Level

Flight
GROUP 4 ATF 111
Objectives of the
• To flightlesson:
straight and level (constant heading, selected
altitude and airspeed) at various speeds within the full
operational speed range of the aircraft.

• The combination of attitude and power to achieve

performance.
 THE FOUR FOURCES
Lift, Weight, Thrust, Drag

Equilibrium when Lift = Weight and Thrust = Drag

Forces don’t act through the same point  moment

arms  couple

Lift and Weight couples balanced by tail plane force

Changes in Thrust  pitch changes

 In the previous
lessons…
• Cruise attitude: The cruise attitude is attained with level
flight attitude, a constant altitude, a constant airspeed and
power, and level wings.

• Control yaw with rudder.

• Increase power: yaw to the left: right rudder.

• Decrease power: yaw to the right: left rudder.

• Cause of yaw: Bank attitude, slipstream effect,

asymmetric thrust.
Straight-and-level
flight
● During straight-and-level flight you can maintain a
constant heading and altitude by controlling the nose
and wing positions with reference to the natural horizon.

● Although you can use the flight instruments as a cross-

check to confirm that you are maintaining straight-and-
level flight, your primary reference should be the horizon to
the front and side of the airplane.

● Keeping your eyes primarily focused outside the flight deck

also helps you see and avoid other aircraft.
Straight-and-level
flight
● Trimming eliminates the need for continuous forward or
backward pressure on the control wheel to maintain attitude.

● If the airplane feels nose-heavy, you are holding back pressure

to maintain a given attitude. Likewise, if forward pressure is
required, the airplane feels tail-heavy.

● When the airplane is properly trimmed, you do not have to

apply either forward or back pressure to maintain a constant
pitch attitude. Use the trim tab only to remove pressure; do not
use it to fly the airplane.

● The proper procedure is to set the airplane in the desired pitch

attitude and at the selected airspeed, then trim away any
control pressure necessary to hold that attitude.

● The same principles apply if you have rudder trim in your

airplane. However, you should also refer to the turn coordinator
while trimming the rudder to help you maintain coordinated
flight.
 Straight-and-level
flight
● During the preflight briefing, you should review with your
instructor the following procedures for passing control of the
airplane.

● PILOT PASSING CONTROL: "You have the flight controls."

● PILOT TAKING CONTROL: "I have the flight controls."

● PILOT PASSING CONTROL: "You have the flight controls."

The pilot passing the controls should continue to fly until the pilot taking
the controls acknowledges the exchange by saying, "I have the flight controls." Perform
a visual check to ensure that the other pilot actually has the controls. At times, your
instructor might need to assume control of the airplane from you. In this case, your
instructor should take the controls while informing you,
"I have the flight controls."
Straight flight
• Straight means: No turn.

• Straight flight is maintained by keeping the wings

level with ailerons and applying the necessary
pressures on the rudder pedal to prevent yaw.

• If you allow the aircraft to bank it will begin to

turn in direction of the lower wing.
 Straight flight control of Yaw.
• An increase in power, which increase the rotational force of the
propeller slipstream, will cause aircraft with clockwise rotating
propeller to yaw to the left.

• A decrease in power will cause the aircraft to yaw to the right.

• Any tendency for the aircraft to yaw with power change should be
anticipated and prevented by appropriate use of rudder.
Power + Attitude = performance

This formula simply states that for any given attitude (pitch
and bank) and power setting, a certain performance will
result.

When an aircraft is in straight-and-level flight forward or

backward pressure on the control column will affect both
speed and height. Likewise, changes in power settings
can affect both speed and height.
 Level Flight

 As power is
increased or
decreased, keep the
pitch attitude
constant with
 Level flight appropriate elevator  When the aircraft is
control pressure. at the desired
means flying at a
constant altitude, airspeed, trim to
not going up and relieve the control
down. pressure required to
maintain straight-
and-level flight.
To increase the airspeed while in straight-and level
flight.
• Advance the throttle smoothly to the power setting estimated for
the speed desired.

• Anticipate the yaw to the left with the right rudder.

• At the same time apply sufficient forward pressure to the control

column to keep the altitude from increasing.

• Keep the wing level.

• When the desired airspeed is reached, readjust the power setting if

necessary, then trim the aircraft.
To decrease the airspeed while in straight-and-level flight.

• Throttle back smoothly to the power setting estimated for

the speed desired.

• Anticipate the yaw to the right with the left rudder.

• Back pressure to the control column to maintain the desired

altitude.

• Keep the wing level.

• When the desired airspeed is reached readjust the power

setting if necessary, then trim the aircraft.
To change airspeed at level flight without changing the
altitude.

Increase airspeed :
• Increase power.
• Lower the nose.

To decrease airspeed:
• Decrease power.
• Raise the nose.

This plane has a pitch nose up but it could be in straight-and-

level flight at reduced airspeed.
 Straight and level flight instruments

The six pack: the six main flight instruments.

No change in theses instruments mean
that we are in straight-and-level flight.

• Use ailerons to keep wings level

• Use elevator and power to maintain

altitude and airspeed

• Use rudder to control yaw

Trim Technique
• As you increase and decrease airspeed, you will
feel pressure on the control as you try to maintain
level flight.

• Once the new speed and/or pitch attitude is

established, eliminate the control pressure by
trimming the aircraft.
Task:

• Adjust power to cruise RPM

• Trim airplane to maintain hands-off attitude

Task:

• Select an outside reference

• Maintain airplane nose constant in relation to the horizon, and wing tips
equidistant above horizon
Task:

• If left wing is low, correct by using light right aileron plus right rudder
pressure

• If right wing is low, correct by using light left aileron plus left rudder
pressure
Task:

• After corrections, neutralize controls and trim airplane

• Check airspeed indicator for constant airspeed

• Check heading indicator for constant heading

• Maintain coordination by keeping

the ball in center
Task:

• Set movable dot on the attitude indicator to horizon line

and maintain constant attitude

• Check altimeter for constant altitude. Make small corrections with elevator (yoke).
Make larger corrections immediately with coordinated pitch and throttle.

• Vertical speed indicator should remain at 0

• For VFR flights, use outside visual cues as primary reference,

cockpit instruments as secondary reference and as a cross-check
(look outside, peek inside)
• Check fuel and engine gauges periodically
Evaluation:

• Maintain a definite heading, ±10°

• Maintain a definite altitude, ±100 feet

• Use definite power setting and airspeed, ±10 knots

• Trim for level flight

• For altitude deviations of less than 100 feet, correct with pitch; if you are off by more
than 100 feet, use pitch and a small throttle adjustment

• In turbulence, use maneuvering speed (VA)

• Use left hand on yoke, controlling yoke with thumb and two fingers and making tiny
corrections

• Make smooth and coordinated control applications

THANKS YOU!
Members: Montejo, Claver Anthony Jr.
Macarayon, Rezjune Carlo Nagac, Hannah Elaine
Manayon, Chesa Luna Ochavo, Josh Seth
Martin, Jencel Patorgo, Kyle
Mendoza, Clark Paylaga, Kieth lawrence
Miyamoto, Chika