straight and level

• Straight and level


  Flying a straight line while maintaining the same altitude
• Maintaining a straight line


  • Look for big features straight ahead from the aircraft
  • Utilize the compass to maintain a constant heading
• Maintaining level

  • Keep the wings level
  • Maintain a constant altitude using the altimeter
  • Maintain a constant airspeed
• Four forces in straight and level flight

  • Weight
  • Lift
  • Thrust
  • Drag
• Pre-entry work cycle


  1. Set heading

  2. Set altitude

  3. Lookout for other aircraft
• Entry cycle (PAST)


  1. Power

  2. Attitude

  3. Speed

  4. Trim
• Maintenance cycle (ALAP)


  1. Attitude

  2. Lookout

  3. Attitude

  4. Performance
• • When increasing power, pitch first then throttle (blue to black)
  • When reducing power, throttle first then pitch (black to blue)
• Avoid fixating too much on instruments, look outside 90% of the time