Maintaining Descent
Chapter 8.3
Objectives
To know the procedure for trimming the descent attitude
To know the influence and correction of the «Slip Stream Effects» during the descent and to know how to correct it
To know the speed limits to be taken into account during a descent
Stabilization of the descent flight by constant speed
Stabilization shall take place according to the following procedures:
- Maintain an ATTITUDE REFERENCE until an airspeed or stable rate of descent is achieved respectively
- Small adjustments of the attitude to adjust the correct descent speed
- Verification of the symmetry with respect to the vertical axis (ball)
The descent shall be trimmed after stabilizing the attitude.
Control of descent power
- The descent with the basic school airplane is carried out with reduced power
- ENRICH PROCEDURES are to be drawn from the AFM
Control of Symmetry During Speed Changes
The YAW will be indicated by the inclinometer (ball):
press the rudder pedal on the side where the ball is.
Increase in Speed, Trimming the Descent Attitude
Increasing the descent speed increases the forces required on the controls to counteract the increasing lift, which is initially compensated for by counterpressure on the flight control. The attitude is trimmed after the stabilization of the descent.
Maintaining descent: mutual influence of descent parameters
Questions
What should you watch out for when trimming the airplane during a descent?
- The descent speed must be stabilized before the aircraft is trimmed
How will the Slip Stream Effect be corrected during a descent?
- With the rudder
What speed limits should be considered when descending in turbulent air?
- Manouvering Speed (Va)
- Normal Operation Speed (Vno)