Straight And Level Flight

 

This is one of the first things that we do.  It seems rather simple but turns out to be a bit more complicated than initially thought.  To successfully do this you must maintain a flight configuration you neither turn, nor climb, nor descend.

 

There are three (3) cues that we can use to determine whether or not we have this condition.  They are:

 

1.	The appearance of the horizon.
2.	The distance between the wing tips and the horizon.
3.	The angle the wing tips make with the horizon.

 

The Appearance of the Horizon

 

Think of the Earth as being a big gyroscope.  The horizon should appear level.  If it is at all tilted – you are turning. 

 

A good way to maintain straight flight is to pick a distant point on the horizon or other feature and fly toward it.  If this object’s orientation to you does not change, you are maintaining a straight course over the surface of the Earth.

 

The horizon should appear slightly above the cowl.  How much above this depends on how your seat is set and how tall you are.  You need to learn how the horizon looks when you are in level flight.  If you see less than that – you are climbing; if more appears – you are descending.

 

The Distance Between the Wing Tips and the Horizon

 

Look at the distance between the left wing tip and the horizon.  Then do the same for the right wing tip.  If the distances are not equal - you are turning.  In a high wing aircraft such as a Cessna 172, you are turning away from the side higher above the horizon.

 

The Angle the Wing Tips Make with the Horizon

 

Once that you have ascertained that you are not turning, look at the angle the cords of the wing tips makes with the horizon.  If these angles are 0^o – you are in level flight.  If they are not parallel, you are either climbing or descending.  If the cords are angled upward you are climbing; if they point downward you are descending.

 

A Word About Cross Checking with the Flight Instruments

 

As a student pilot you want to develop the skill to pilot the aircraft by visual reference solely.  If you start to fly by the instruments, it will become an impediment to your learning of this skill.  However, if you set the aircraft in an attitude that you consider straight & level then take a quick peek at your Directional Gyro and Altimeter, you can quickly see if you were correct or not. 

 

I have little rubber covers for the instruments.  I will know that you can fly straight and level because at the end of this phase, I will cover up all of your altitude instruments and see how you do.