Power and Attitude
Big Idea
Power + Attitude = Performance. Throttle controls speed, pitch controls altitude.
Fun Fact
This is the most important equation in flying: Power + Attitude = Performance. Airline pilots use it on every flight.
Challenge
Can you slow down from 110 knots to 90 knots without changing altitude?
What You Will Learn
- Add power → airplane speeds up (or climbs)
- Reduce power → airplane slows down (or descends)
- Pitch up → nose goes up, speed decreases
- Pitch down → nose goes down, speed increases
Simulator Steps
- In level flight, add some throttle — what happens?
- Now reduce throttle back to cruise — what happens?
- Try this: reduce power AND pitch up slightly to maintain altitude but slow down
- Now add power AND pitch down slightly to speed up at the same altitude
- The secret: power controls speed, pitch controls altitude!
What You Learned
- Power + Attitude = Performance
- Throttle mostly controls speed
- Pitch (yoke) mostly controls altitude