Straight and Level Flight

Purpose

To fly at a constant altitude, in a constant direction, at a specified airspeed, in balance. This is the baseline flight condition from which all maneuvers begin and to which they return.

Airmanship

• V_FE awareness: Always know the maximum flap extension speed before selecting flap. In the Cessna 172S, V_FE is 110 KIAS (10 degrees) and 85 KIAS (full flap). Exceeding V_FE with flaps extended risks structural damage to the flap mechanism.
• Location awareness: Begin developing your mental map of the local training area. Note landmarks, town boundaries, and the relationship of your position to the airport.
• Lookout discipline: Maintain a continuous scan outside the cockpit. Instruments confirm what you see outside — not the other way around.

Collision Avoidance

Understanding right-of-way rules is essential for safe flight. The FAA rules (14 CFR 91.113) establish priorities:

Right-of-Way Priority (Descending)

1. Aircraft in distress
2. Balloons
3. Gliders
4. Airships
5. Aircraft towing other aircraft or objects
6. Powered aircraft

Collision Avoidance Rules

Head-on approach

Both aircraft alter course to the right.

Converging

The aircraft with the other on its right gives way. (The aircraft on the right has the right of way.)

Overtaking

The overtaking aircraft alters course to the right to pass well clear.

Maintaining Constant Level

The sequence is always Power — Attitude — Trim:

1. Set power for the desired cruise configuration.
2. Set attitude — position the nose on the natural horizon to maintain altitude. The horizon reference is your primary level-flight cue.
3. Trim — remove control pressure so the airplane holds attitude without continuous input.

Cross-check the altimeter and airspeed indicator periodically to confirm your outside references are accurate. If the altimeter shows a deviation:

• Small correction: adjust pitch attitude slightly, allow airspeed to stabilize, re-trim.
• Larger correction (more than 100 ft): consider a brief power adjustment along with attitude change.

Maintaining Constant Direction

To fly a constant heading:

1. Wings level: Use the ailerons to keep wings level. A wing-low attitude causes a turn.
2. Distant reference point: Select a landmark on the horizon ahead and fly toward it. This gives an immediate visual cue if you are drifting off heading.
3. Heading indicator: Cross-check the heading indicator (or HSI on the G1000) periodically. If the heading changes, level the wings and correct back to the desired heading.

Remember that the heading indicator precesses over time and should be realigned with the magnetic compass every 15 minutes during straight and level flight.

Maintaining Balanced Flight

The airplane is in balance (coordinated flight) when the balance ball (inclinometer) is centered. The rule is simple:

Uncoordinated flight is inefficient (it increases drag), uncomfortable for passengers, and at slow speeds can lead to a spin entry. Keep the ball centered at all times.

Transitioning to a Higher Airspeed

To increase airspeed while maintaining altitude:

1. Power: Increase power smoothly to the setting for your target airspeed.
2. Attitude: As the airplane accelerates, it will tend to climb. Progressively lower the nose attitude to maintain altitude. The nose position on the horizon will be slightly lower than at the previous (slower) cruise speed.
3. Trim: Once stabilized at the new airspeed and altitude, trim forward to relieve control pressure.

Allow the airplane time to accelerate and stabilize — do not chase the instruments with constant adjustments.

Transitioning to a Lower Airspeed

To decrease airspeed while maintaining altitude:

1. Power: Reduce power smoothly to the setting for your target airspeed.
2. Attitude: As the airplane decelerates, it will tend to descend. Progressively raise the nose attitude to maintain altitude. The nose position on the horizon will be slightly higher than at the previous (faster) cruise speed.
3. Trim: Once stabilized at the new airspeed and altitude, trim aft to relieve control pressure.

Slow Safe Cruise

When you need to reduce groundspeed for better situational awareness (e.g., uncertain of position, marginal weather):

1. Reduce power to a lower cruise setting.
2. Allow the airplane to decelerate. Raise the nose slightly to maintain altitude.
3. Below V_FE: Select the first stage of flap (10 degrees).
4. Adjust attitude: The flap will cause a pitch-up and some drag increase. Lower the nose slightly to maintain altitude and the desired reduced airspeed.
5. Trim for the new configuration.

This configuration gives you more time to navigate and make decisions while remaining in a completely safe flight condition with good stall margins.

Lookout Supplement

Effective lookout is a skill that must be actively developed. Here are the key principles:

Where to Look

• Focus your scan approximately 10 degrees above and below the horizon — this is where most traffic will appear.
• Scan at least 60 degrees each side of your flight path.
• Focus on distant objects rather than close to the airplane — your eyes naturally rest at about 3-4 feet when unfocused, which is useless for spotting traffic.

How to Scan

• Block method: Divide the sky into segments and systematically scan each block, pausing to focus for 1-2 seconds in each segment.
• Wandering method: Move your eyes in a less structured pattern but ensure all areas are covered. Some pilots prefer this after the block method becomes habitual.
• Avoid staring at one point — your peripheral vision is good at detecting motion, but you need focused vision to identify aircraft.

The Constant-Bearing Threat

Practical Tips

• Clock code: Use clock positions to communicate traffic (e.g., "traffic at 2 o'clock, same altitude").
• Clean windscreen: A dirty or scratched windscreen dramatically reduces your ability to spot traffic. Clean it before every flight.
• Look after your eyes: Use quality sunglasses (non-polarized for glass cockpit compatibility), stay hydrated, and be aware that fatigue degrades visual acuity.
• Move your head: Do not rely only on eye movement. Turn your head to check blind spots, especially behind the wing strut and door pillar.