Basic Instrument Procedures
Here you will learn to control of the airplane solely by reference to the instruments including partial panel, upset recovery, and appropriate ADM to avoid continued VFR flight into IMC.
Flight Content
- Basic instrument scan*
- Straight and level
- Constant airspeed climbs
- Constant airspeed descents
- Turns to headings
- Recovery from unusual attitudes
- ADM - 180 degree turn
* Recognize that the attitude indicator is the most important instrument if you are in IMC. I teach a wheel-and-spoke method of instrument scanning that focuses heavily on that instrument.
Recovery from Nose-low Unusual Attitude
- Reduce power
- Level wings
- Raise the nose to level
- Add power
Recovery from Nose-high Unusual Attitude
- Increase throttle to full power
- Lower the nose
- Level the wings
- Reduce power to normal
Common Mistakes
- Fixation
- Chasing instrument needles
- Failure to immediately correct deviations
- Gaining or losing excessive altitude
- Turning at faster than standard rate
- Improper use of throttle during upset recovery
- Raising nose before leveling wings in nose-low recovery
- Leveling wings before lowering nose in nose-high recovery
ACS Test Objectives
The pilot exhibits ability to control the airplane solely by reference to instruments and demonstrates understanding of the dangers and emergency nature of inadvertent flight into IMC.
- Straight and level: +/- 200 ft altitude, +/- 20° heading, +/- 10 knots
- Constant airspeed climbs: Levels at property altitude, +/- 200 ft altitude, +/- 20° heading, +/- 10 knots
- Constant airspeed descents: Levels at property altitude, +/- 200 ft altitude, +/- 20° heading, +/- 10 knots
- Turns to headings: Standard rate turn, assigned heading +/- 10°, +/- 10 knots
- Recovery from unusual attitudes: Recognizes and recovers using only instruments
VOR ACS Requirements (if equipped):
- Locates airplanes position using navigation system
- Recognizes station passage
- Altitude +/- 200 ft and headings +/- 15°