Attitude Instrument Flying Techniques

Pilots originally flew aircraft strictly by sight, sound, and feel while comparing the aircraft’s attitude to the natural horizon. As aircraft performance increased, pilots required more in flight information to enhance the safe operation of their aircraft. This information has ranged from a string tied to a wing strut, to development of sophisticated electronic flight information systems (EFIS) and flight management systems (FMS). Interpretation of the instruments and aircraft control have advanced from the “one, two, three” or “needle, ball and airspeed” system to the use of “attitude instrument flying” techniques.

Basic maneuvers, flown by sole reference to the instruments rather than outside visual cues, for the purpose of practicing basic attitude flying. The patterns simulate maneuvers encountered oninstrument flights such as holding patterns, procedure turns, and approaches.

Instrument flying techniques differ according to aircraft type, class, performance capability, and instrumentation. Therefore, the procedures and techniques that follow will need to be modified for application to different types of aircraft. Recommended procedures, performance data, operating limitations, and flight characteristics of a particular aircraft are available in your Pilot’s Operating Handbook/Airplane Flight Manual (POH/AFM) for study before practicing the flight maneuvers.

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