Instrument Syllabus Section 2

2A - Aircraft Control and Stability

Fundamentals of Attitude Instrument Flying Using Control Instruments

Assignments

  • OF - Fundamentals of IFR Aircraft Control
  • OF - Control Coordination

Activities

  • Control and stability exercises
  • Set pitch, bank, and power as instructed by CFI
  • Control and stability using backup attitude indicator
  • Use of trim when stable
  • Log instrument time from lesson

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • is able to hold the aircraft stable at a specified pitch and/or bank angle.
  • is able to use throttle and tachometer to set specified power settings.
  • can smoothly roll into, maintain, and roll out of turns with rudder coordination.
  • can smoothly transition between straight-and-level flight, climbs, and descents.
  • effectively uses trim to relieve control pressures in stable flight.
  • effectively uses the attitude indicator and understands the central role it plays in instrument flight.
  • has appropriately logged instrument time.

2B - Control and Performance

Instrument Flight Using All Control and Performance Instruments

Reference

Assignments

Activities

  • Fundamentals of instrument flight: cross-check, interpretation, control
  • Precision (constant rate) and nonprecision (constant airspeed) descent
  • Instrument flight profiles (power and attitude)
  • Standard-rate level turns to headings
  • Combined maneuvers (climbing and descending turns)

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • understands the difference between control instruments and performance instruments.
  • has developed a standard and efficient instrument scan.
  • maintains rudder coordination in turns, climbs, and descents.
  • has memorized pitch and power settings for basic IFR flight profiles.
  • uses appropriate power settings and makes smooth transitions between instrument flight profiles.
  • can perform a standard rate turn while maintaining altitude and airspeed.
  • uses the 3 T’s in the correct sequence when making control and performance changes.

2C - Partial Panel Operations

Instrument Flight with Inoperative Instruments

Assignments

Activities

  • Simulation of partial panel in the cockpit
  • Partial panel instrument scan
  • Timed turns
  • Compass turns and behavior of the magnetic compass
  • Pitch changes in absence of pitch reference
  • Instrument flight profiles under partial panel

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • has developed a standard and efficient instrument scan for operations with inoperative flight instruments.
  • can maintain straight and level flight accurately under partial panel.
  • can execute a specified heading change using magnetic compass and/or timed turns under partial panel.
  • sets appropriate power settings and makes smooth transitions between instrument flight profiles under partial panel.

2D - Introduction to Charted Patterns

Charted Procedures that Specify Headings and Altitudes

Assignments

  • OF - About Charted Patterns
  • OF - Autopilot Fundamentals

Activities

  • Pattern A (heading changes and timing)
  • Pattern B (other than cardinal headings, and partial turns)
  • Pattern C (changes in airspeed, and changes in altitude)
  • Pattern D (all IFR flight profiles)
  • Patterns with autopilot (HDG, ALT)

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • can simultaneously interpret and follow charted patterns that require changes of headings, altitudes, and/or airspeeds.
  • consistently uses Ts when changing direction, altitude, or speed.
  • uses timer accurately for tracking en route changes and elapsed time.
  • is able to maintain altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, and heading ±10°.
  • can successfully program the autopilot to maintain heading, hold altitude, and establish a climb or descent.

2E - Recovery From Unusual Attitude

Recovery from Unusual Attitude Solely by Instrument Reference

Assignments

  • OF - Unusual Attitudes (ASA 7)
  • OF - Hazards of Unusual Attitudes

Activities

  • Recovery from nose-up unusual attitude
  • Recovery from nose-down unusual attitude
  • Recovery from unusual attitude under partial panel

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • can positively identify an unusual aircraft attitude using either full panel and partial panel.
  • can recover to straight and level flight from nose-up and nose-down unusual attitudes without exceeding aircraft structural limitations.

2F - Associated Ground Topics

Acquire the Knowledge Needed to Support the Flight Skills of This Section

Assignments

  • OF - Human Factors (IFH 3)
  • OF - Equipment Required for IFR Flight
  • OF - Verifying Operation of Flight Instruments

Completion Standards

When complete, the pilot

  • understands the operation of the flight instruments and other aircraft systems.
  • knows FAA regulations associated with the flight instruments and equipment.
  • knows what equipment is required for IFR operations.
  • understands the human factors related to flight without outside visual reference.
  • is familiar with visual illusions that can occur in IMC.