Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
Subject: Re: Altitude/heading holding
From: jbolinger@lintek.com (J L Bolinger)
Organization: AeroFlex Lintek
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Date: 1 Oct 1998 08:35:43 -0500
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In article <361307fb.311472357@news.ym1.on.wave.home.com>, pjd@ilap.com says...
>
>.....
>
>Can anybody, then please tell me how I should establish and hold the
>assigned heading/altitude without drifting all over creation.I
>*really* want to nip this in the bud, as it will be a sure-fire
>test-buster if I allow it to go unchecked for too long.
>

This will come with practice.  I still sometimes have problems holding
altitude, even with over 40 hours as a student.

I don't know what others do, but here is how I do it.  As you are 
climbing, about 50 feet below your desired altitude start nudging the
wheel forward.  You will feel increased pressure on the elevator.  Watch
your altimeter and rate-of-climb.  When you reach the desired altitude
bring the throttle back to the cruise setting, then don't touch it again.

If you find that you are climbing or descending adjust the elevator
trim (I assume the plane has one).  For any throttle setting there is
one trim setting that will result in level flight.  And you should have
almost no pressure on the wheel.  (Actually, it should be slightly nose
down when hands off, requiring slight back pressure to maintain altitude
according to my CFI.)  What you see out the front depends on the type of
plane---whatever it is you will quickly learn as the correct attitude for
level flight.

I do not use the throttle when making altitude corrections unless I am
way off---100+ feet.  Tiny corrections are made with tiny adjustments of
control pressure.  If there is a trend up or down then I readjust the
trim slightly.

The point is to not 'fight' it.  For small errors make small corrections.


Good luck!!

Jim

