The importance of attitude

Beginning with their first lesson, students should memorize and understand the mantra Attitude plus power equals performance.

There is a specific attitude and power setting for each task. When introducing a student to the four fundamentals of flight—level, climb, descent and turns—the CFI must demonstrate the desired attitude and power setting for each maneuver, and then clearly emphasize what the student must see. Attitude is observed by looking at the relationship of the aircraft’s nose and wings to the natural horizon, which is duplicated by the artificial horizon on the attitude indicator or primary flight display (PFD). Power is observed by referencing engine instruments. For an aircraft’s weight and balance (i.e., weight distribution) and power setting, there is a specific attitude for each task. Fortunately, the aircraft’s response to control inputs and gusts is consistent for a specific configuration of weight, center of gravity location, gear and flap position, and power.

How to observe attitude. Seemingly insignificant features—specifically position as well as movement of the aircraft’s nose and wing reference points—must be noted. When the CFI demonstrates a task, students should find something prominent on the cowling or windscreen that they see with respect to the horizon, remember that sight picture, and be alert to the slightest movement of reference items to the horizon. Such attention to detail pays profound dividends.

For example, by observing the relative position of an object on the glareshield, such as the compass housing, the desired attitude can be established and maintained, and small changes in attitude are easily detected and corrected. Similarly, bank attitude can be established and monitored by noting the position of the wing tip to the horizon. Students are cautioned to avoid concentrating on attitude so intently that they miss what else is happening, such as the presence of traffic and the proximity of the aircraft to terrain or nearby clouds. Learning to divide attention between attitude, instrument readings, and the flight environment is part of the learning process.

Pitch and bank angle are easily detected simply by looking out the window. Yaw (the aircraft skidding or slipping through the air) is shown by the position of turn coordinator’s ball. When the ball is centered, yaw is zero. Zero yaw presents less drag than yawed flight; it can be achieved by the pilot applying sufficient rudder pressure on the side where the ball protrudes outside its center position (hence the aid “step on the ball”) to force it into the center position. Being particularly mindful of yaw to minimize drag, pilots flying sailplanes often tape the leading edge of a small strip of yarn to the windscreen; when the yarn streams directly toward the tail, yaw is zero.

Bottom line: Attitude is essential. When conducting any maneuver, whether it be commonplace such as cruise in level flight or something more challenging such as slow flight, attitude (i.e., using the sight picture) plus power setting yields the desired result. Of those two elements—attitude and power—attitude is primus. Case in point: Gliders are without engines; their power comes from gravity. By controlling attitude, sailplane pilots achieve their objectives safely.

Second point to consider: The quickest way to change airspeed is by changing attitude. Want to increase speed—lower the nose. To illustrate that point, conduct a test. In level flight at cruise airspeed and cruise rpm, pitch the nose down 10 degrees. Note how quickly airspeed increases by 20 knots. Return to level flight still maintaining cruise rpm; then set maximum allowable rpm and hold altitude. Note how slowly the aircraft increases airspeed. Airspeed-response-to-attitude change is faster than airspeed-response-to-power-change for a typical GA aircraft.

Appreciate the importance of attitude—know what to look for, understand the appropriate relationship between aircraft reference points and the horizon to achieve a given airspeed, and establish the needed attitude by looking outside the aircraft and/or inside at the flight instruments. Try covering the airspeed indicator and establishing a desired reading simply by reference to attitude. It’s illustrative, fun, and a way to build confidence.