VIII.

Four Fundamentals of Flight_____________________________________________

References: 1. AC 60-14 (Aviation Instructors Handbook)
2. AC 61-21 (Flight Training Handbook)

Objective To develop the student’s ability to maintain STRAIGHT-AND-LEVEL, TURNS,

CLIMBS AND DESCENDING flight.

Elements 1. Straight and Level

2. Level Turns
3. Straight Climbs and Climbing Turns
4. Straight Descents and Turning Descents

Schedule 1. Discuss Objectives 02

2. Review Material 05
3. Development 15
4. Conclusion 02

Equipment 1. White Board

2. Aviation Instructors Handbook
3. Flight Training Handbook

IP’s Actions 1. Discuss lesson objectives

2. Present Lecture
3. Ask and Answer Questions

SP’s Actions 1. Participate in discussion and planning

2. Take notes
3. Ask and respond to questions

Completion This lesson will be complete when the student demonstrates an understanding of the
Standards elements related to the FOUR FUNDAMENTALS OF FLIGHT.

VIII. Four Fundamentals of Flight

Page 1 of 4
Instructor’s Notes: The Four Fundamentals of Flight___________________________
INTRODUCTION:

What? - The four fundamentals of flight are "Straight and Level", "Level Turns", "Straight Climbs and
Climbing Turns", and "Straight Descents and Turning Descents"

Why? - The four fundamentals of flight are required to maneuver the aircraft in all phases of normal and
emergency flight.

OVERVIEW - This lesson will cover the maneuvers necessary to control the aircraft during the four
fundamental flight maneuvers including:
1. Straight and Level
2. Level Turns
3. Straight Climbs and Climbing Turns
4. Straight Descents and Turning Descents
DEVELOPMENT:
How?
1.) AXIS OF FLIGHT
A.) Lateral
1. Pitch / Elevator – nose moves up or down
B.) Longitudinal
1. Bank / Ailerons – wings move up or down
C.) Vertical
1. Yaw / Rudder – nose slides to the left or right
2.) STRAIGHT AND LEVEL:
A.) References: Both flight instruments and Outside visual
1. Pitch, Bank and Power
2. Straight Flight:
a) Any time an airplane is banked it is turning
(1) PRIMARY: Horizon - wings should look the same on each side, 4 fingers
(2) SUPPORTING: HI- Maintain wings level so as not to turn
b) If heading deviates:
(1) Set Bank with Horizon and AI
(2) Verify coordination with TC
(3) Bank angle no greater than standard rate: 3 degrees/second
3. Level flight:
a) Any change in level flight results in climb or descent
(1) PRIMARY: Horizon
(2) SUPPORTING: ALT- Will reflect changes in pitch
b) If Altitude deviates:
(1) Set pitch with Horizon and AI
(2) Small changes (100') Pitch ONLY
(3) Large changes (>100') Pitch AND Power
4. Coordination of Controls:
a) Always keep ball of TC centered
5. Trim Technique
a) Continuously retrim.
b) Trim to relieve control pressure already held. NOT to control yoke movement.

VIII. Four Fundamentals of Flight

Page 2 of 4
3.) TURNS
A.) Purpose: Change A/C direction
B.) References: Both flight instruments and Outside visual
C.) Banking
1. Types:
a) Shallow: Stability acts to level wings
b) Medium: A/C tends to hold bank angle
c) Steep: Overbanking tendency
2. Purpose of bank:
a) Change vertical lift to horizontal lift
(1) Vertical lift opposite gravity
(2) Horizontal lift parallel to earth surface
(3) Resultant vector perpendicular to wings
3. Requires greater AOA to counter loss of lift
D.) Adverse Yaw
1. Caused by lowered aileron on raised wing (more drag)
2. Use of rudder to control

4.) STRAIGHT AND CLIMBING TURNS

E.) References: Both flight instruments and outside visual
F.) Straight Climbs
1. References: Both flight instruments and Outside visual
2. Controls used: Elevator, Rudder, and Power
3. Considerations:
a) As airspeed reduces power must be increased.
b) Climbs require excess thrust (AOA requires excess power)
4. Left Turning tendencies:
a) Torque
b) Asymmetrical thrust (P-Factor)
c) Spiral slip stream (slow airspeed)
d) Gyroscopic precession (right tendency)
e) Counter Left turning tendencies with rudder
(1) Keep Ball Centered on inclinometer
G.) Trim: After established, set trim.
H.) Procedure:
1. simultaneously advance throttle and apply back pressure
2. Apply right rudder as necessary
3. Maintain pitch and trim
4. Recovery to Straight and Level
a) Lead off by 1/10 of FPM climb
b) Apply foreword pressure to level wings gradually
c) Allow airspeed to increase before resetting desired power
d) Retrim for level flight
I.) Climbing Turns
1. Combination of Turns and Straight Climbs
a) Two procedures:
(1) Establish a straight climb and then turn
(2) Establish the pitch and bank attitudes simultaneously (Preferred)

VIII. Four Fundamentals of Flight

Page 3 of 4
4.) Straight Descents and Turning Descents
A.) References: Both flight instruments and Outside visual
B.) Straight Descents
1. References: Both flight instruments and Outside visual
2. Controls used: Elevator, Rudder, and Power
3. Considerations:
a) As airspeed increases power must be reduced.
b) Little or no Power
4. Must be second nature as Landings are prime example. Attention required for landing.
5. Keep Ball Centered on inclinometer
6. Flaps may be used to increase drag and lift allowing slower flight and steeper descent
7. Trim: After established, set trim
8. Procedure:
a) Close the throttle
b) Hold altitude until airspeed decreases to desired airspeed
c) Adjust pitch to maintain that speed
d) Retrim
e) Check and Adjust and Retrim
9. Recovery to Straight and Level
a) Lead off by 1/10 of FPM climb
b) Add power to cruise setting
c) Adjust pitch attitude to level flight
d) Retrim for level flight
10. Descending Turns
a) Combination of Turns and Straight Descents
b) Two procedures:
(1) Establish a straight descent and then turn
(2) Establish the pitch and bank attitudes simultaneously (Preferred)

COMMON ERRORS:
1.) Failure to cross-check and interpret inside and outside references.
2.) Jerkiness – use control pressures instead of movements – BE SMOOTH!!! 2 FINGERS!
3.) Uncoordinated use of flight controls – ie. Yawing the A/C instead of turning properly
4.) Failing to trim the A/C
5.) Not maintaining heading or altitude
6.) Not keeping up traffic scan – head in the cockpit way too much of the time

CONCLUSION

OVERVIEW
Discuss Elements:
1.) Straight and Level
2.) Level Turns
3.) Straight Climbs and Climbing Turns
4.) Straight Descents and Turning Descents
PRIVATE PTS
Not Applicable
COMMERCIAL PTS
Not Applicable
COMPLETION
STANDARDS: +/- 200 feet, +/-20 degrees, +/- 10 knots
1. This lesson will be complete when student has adequate understanding of the Four
Fundamentals of flight.

VIII. Four Fundamentals of Flight

Page 4 of 4