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PI.VI.H.S1

Skill

Use proper instrument cross-check and interpretation to identify an unusual attitude (including both nose-high and nose-low) in flight, and apply the appropriate flight control, power input, and aircraft configuration in the correct sequence, to return to a stabilized level flight attitude.

Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

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From the FAA library

  • Chapter 7, Section I: Airplane Basic Flight Maneuvers › Unusual Attitudes and Recoveries › Recovery from Unusual Attitudes

    Recognizing Unusual Attitudes As a general rule, any time an instrument rate of movement or indication other than those associated with the basic instrument flight maneuvers is noted, assume an unusual attitude and increase the speed of cross-check ... confirm the attitude, instrument error, or instrument malfunction. Nose-high attitudes are shown by the rate and direction of movement of the altimeter needle, vertical speed needle, and airspeed needle, as well as the immediately recognizable indication of the attitude…

  • Chapter 8: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying › Instrument Flight › Instrument Cross-Check

    Instrument Flight To achieve smooth, positive control of the helicopter during instrument flight, three fundamental skills must be developed. They are instrument cross-check, instrument interpretation, and aircraft control. Instrument Cross-Check Cross-checking, sometimes referred to as scanning ... continuous and logical observation of instruments for attitude and performance information. In attitude instrument flying, an attitude is maintained by reference to the instruments, which produces the desired result in performance. Due to human error, instrument error, and helicopter performance…

  • Chapter 8: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying › Unusual Attitudes

    Unusual Attitudes Any maneuver not required for normal helicopter instrument flight is an unusual attitude and may be caused by any one or combination of factors, such as turbulence, disorientation, instrument failure, confusion, preoccupation with flight deck duties, carelessness ... cross-checking, errors in instrument interpretation, or lack of proficiency in aircraft control. Due to the instability characteristics of the helicopter, unusual attitudes can be extremely critical. As soon as an unusual attitude is detected, make a recovery to straight…

  • Chapter 6, Section II: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying › Learning Methods › Power Control

    Different aircraft demand differing amounts of throttle change to produce specific performance. It is imperative that the pilot make the specific changes on the power instruments and allow the performance to stabilize. Avoid the tendency to overcontrol. One common error ... precision of the digital readouts. This precision causes pilots to focus too much attention on establishing the exact power setting. Control and power instruments are the foundation for precise attitude instrument flying. The keys to attitude instrument flying are establishing…

  • Chapter 8: Helicopter Attitude Instrument Flying › Turn Indicator › Power Control During Straight-and-Level Flight

    airspeed is changing, adjust the pitch attitude to maintain a constant altitude. A constant heading should be maintained throughout the change. As the desired airspeed is approached, adjust power to the new cruising power setting and further adjust pitch attitude ... maintain altitude. The instrument indications for straight-and-level flight at normal cruise and during the transition from normal cruise to slow cruise are illustrated in Figures 8-9 and 8-10. After the airspeed stabilizes at slow cruise…

  • Chapter 6, Section I: Airplane Attitude Instrument Flying › Attitude Indicator › Power Control

    result, acceptance of its indication should be considered with other instruments that indicate turn information. These include the already mentioned attitude and heading indicators, as well as the turn-and-slip indicator and turn coordinator. Turn Coordinator/Turn-and-Slip Indicator Both ... these instruments provide turn information. [Figure 6-12] The turn coordinator provides both bank rate and then turn rate once stabilized. The turn-and-slip indicator provides only turn rate. Figure 6-12. Turn coordinator and turn-and-slip indicator…