Flying Straight
Big Idea
Four forces keep an airplane in the air: lift, weight, thrust, and drag. In level flight, they are balanced.
Fun Fact
Even in perfectly calm air, a pilot makes tiny corrections every few seconds — no airplane flies itself perfectly!
What You Will Learn
- Understand the four forces of flight
- Hold a heading using the heading indicator
- Hold altitude using the altimeter
- Make small corrections with the yoke
Simulator Steps
- Set up in level flight at 4,000 feet
- Pick a heading on the heading indicator — try to hold it
- Watch the altimeter — is it creeping up or down?
- Make TINY corrections with the yoke to stay on altitude and heading
- Try to fly straight and level for 2 full minutes
What You Learned
- Lift up, weight down, thrust forward, drag backward
- In level flight, all four forces are balanced
- Small corrections keep you on track