INSTRUMENT FLYING BASICS
Updated: Nov 6
Instrument Flying Basics Lesson by wifiCFI
Basic Instrument Flying
The fundamental skills of instrument flying are:
Instrument Cross Check
Instrument Interpretation
Aircraft Control
There are two different methods for performing basic attitude instrument flying. They are:
The Control and Performance Method
The Primary and Supporting Method
The main difference between the two methods is the importance that is placed on the attitude indicator and the interpretation of the other flight instruments.
Additionally, in this lesson we will discuss how to control an aircraft in instrument conditions with inoperative instruments (partial panel).
Instrument Cross Check
The first fundamental skill is cross-checking (also called “scanning” or “instrument coverage”).
Cross-checking is the continuous and logical observation of instruments for attitude and performance information.
There are 3 ways to cross check instruments:
Radial Cross Check
Inverted V Cross Check
Rectangular Cross Check
Instrument Interpretation
The second fundamental skill, instrument interpretation, requires more thorough study and analysis.
It begins by understanding each instrument’s construction and operating principles.
Then, this knowledge must be applied to the performance of the aircraft being flown, the particular maneuvers to be executed, the cross-check and control techniques applicable to that aircraft, and the flight conditions.
Control and Performance Method
Aircraft performance is accomplished by controlling the aircraft attitude and power output.
Aircraft attitude is the relationship of its longitudinal and lateral axes to the Earth’s horizon.
When flying in instrument flight conditions, the pilot controls the attitude of the aircraft by referencing the flight instruments and manipulating the power output of the engine to achieve the performance desired.
This method can be used to achieve a specific performance level enabling a pilot to perform any basic instrument maneuver.
The instrumentation can be broken up into three different categories: control, performance, and navigation.
Control Instruments
The control instruments depict immediate attitude and power changes.
The instrument for attitude display is the attitude indicator.
Power changes are directly reflected on the manifold pressure gauge and the tachometer.
All three of these instruments can reflect small adjustments, allowing for precise control of aircraft attitude.
The control instruments do not indicate how fast the aircraft is flying or at what altitude it is flying.
In order to determine these variables and others, a pilot needs to refer to the performance instruments.
Performance Instruments
The performance instruments directly reflect the performance the aircraft is achieving.
The speed of the aircraft can be referenced on the airspeed indicator.
The altitude can be referenced on the altimeter.
The aircraft’s climb performance can be determined by referencing the vertical speed indicator (VSI).
Other performance instruments available are the heading indicator, pitch attitude indicator, and the slip/skid indicator.
Navigation Instruments
The navigation instruments are comprised of global positioning system (GPS) displays and indicators, very high frequency omnidirectional range/nondirectional radio beacon (VOR/NDB) indicators, moving map displays, localizer, and glideslope (GS) indicators.
The instruments indicate the position of the aircraft relative to a selected navigation facility or fix.
Navigation instruments allow the pilot to maneuver the aircraft along a predetermined path of ground-based or spaced-based navigation signals without reference to any external visual cues.
The navigation instruments can support both lateral and visual inputs.
Primary and Supporting Method
The second method for performing attitude instrument flight is a direct extension of the control/power method.
By utilizing the primary and supporting flight instruments in conjunction with the control and power instruments, the pilot can precisely maintain aircraft attitude.
This method utilizes the same instruments as the control/power method; however, it focuses more on the instruments that depict the most accurate indication for the aspect of the aircraft attitude being controlled.
The four key elements (pitch, bank, roll, and trim) are discussed in detail.
Over the next few slides we will discuss the different flight regimes and the appropriate primary and supporting instruments for each particular regime.
REGIME: Straight and Level Flight
Primary Pitch = Altimeter
Primary Bank = Heading Indicator
Supporting Pitch = Attitude Indicator and Vertical Speed Indicator
Supporting Bank = Attitude Indicator and Turn Coordinator
REGIME: Constant Airspeed Climb or Descent
Primary Pitch = Airspeed Indicator
Primary Bank = Heading Indicator
Supporting Pitch = Attitude Indicator and Vertical Speed Indicator
Supporting Bank = Attitude Indicator and Turn Coordinator
REGIME: Constant Rate Climb or Descent
Primary Pitch = Vertical Speed Indicator
Primary Bank = Heading Indicator
Supporting Pitch = Attitude Indicator
Supporting Bank = Attitude Indicator and Turn Coordinator
REGIME: Standard Rate Turn
Primary Pitch = Altimeter
Primary Bank = Turn Coordinator
Supporting Pitch = Attitude Indicator and Vertical Speed Indicator
Supporting Bank = Attitude Indicator
Helpful Overview Chart
Partial Panel Flying
INOPERATIVE: Airspeed Indicator
Attitude Indicator = Used for pitch and bank
Altimeter = Used for pitch
Turn Coordinator = Used for bank
Heading Indicator = Used for bank
Vertical Speed Indicator = Used for pitch
Magnetic Compass = Used for bank
INOPERATIVE: Attitude Indicator
Airspeed Indicator = Used for pitch
Altimeter = Used for pitch
Turn Coordinator = Used for bank
Heading Indicator = Used for bank
Vertical Speed Indicator = Used for pitch
Magnetic Compass = Used for bank
INOPERATIVE: Altimeter
Airspeed Indicator = Used for pitch
Attitude Indicator = Used for pitch and bank
Turn Coordinator = Used for bank
Heading Indicator = Used for bank
Vertical Speed Indicator = Used for pitch
Magnetic Compass = Used for bank
INOPERATIVE: Turn Coordinator
Airspeed Indicator = Used for pitch
Attitude Indicator = Used for pitch and bank
Altimeter = Used for pitch
Heading Indicator = Used for bank
Vertical Speed Indicator = Used for pitch
Magnetic Compass = Used for bank
INOPERATIVE: Heading Indicator
Airspeed Indicator = Used for pitch
Attitude Indicator = Used for pitch and bank
Altimeter = Used for pitch
Turn Coordinator = Used for bank
Vertical Speed Indicator = Used for pitch
Magnetic Compass = Used for bank
INOPERATIVE: Vertical Speed Indicator
Airspeed Indicator = Used for pitch
Attitude Indicator = Used for pitch and bank
Altimeter = Used for pitch
Turn Coordinator = Used for bank
Heading Indicator = Used for bank
Magnetic Compass = Used for bank
FAA Sources Used for this Lesson
Instrument Flying Handbook Chapter 6