Newsgroups: rec.aviation.student
From: bobmoore@wwd.net (Robert Moore)
Subject: Re: pitch vs. power
References: <36e47ed6.0@news.intplsrv.net> <ihatessppaamm-0803992124100001@192.168.1.150>
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>In article <36e47ed6.0@news.intplsrv.net>, "J" <C5el@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm sure this has been brought up before, but I'm looking for some different
>> thoughts on the subject of pitch vs. power for airspeed and altitude.

I copy the following excerpt from  AERODYNAMICS FOR NAVAL AVIATORS.
I trust that you will find it to be more substantive than the "thoughts" or
"opinions" of many CFIs and Examiners that I have encountered in my 40+
years and 20,000+ hours of flying.

Bob Moore, 
ATP B-707 B-727, CFIA CFII, Naval Aviator V-15753, PANAM (retired)

         NAVWEPS 00-8OT-80
         APPLICATION OF AERODYNAMICS
         TO SPECIFIC PROBLEMS OF FLYING
         
         
           FLYING TECHNIQUE.  Since the condi-
         tions of steady flight predominate during a
         majority of all flying, the fundamentals of
         flying technique are the principles of steady
         flight:

             (1)   Angle of attack is the primary control
           of airspeed.                                                  
             (2)   Power setting is the primary control
           of altitude, i.e., rate of climb/descent..

         With the exception of the transient conditions
         of flight which occur during maneuvers and
         acrobatics, the conditions of steady flight will
         be applicable during such steady flight condi-
         tions as cruise, climb, descent, takeoff, ap-
         proach, landing, etc.  A clear understanding
         of these two principles will develop good, safe
         flying techniques applicable to any sort of
         airplane.
           The primary control of airspeed during
         steady flight conditions is the angle of attack.
         However, changes in airspeed will necessitate
         changes in power setting to maintain altitude
         because of the variation of power required with
         velocity.  The primary control of altitude
         (rate of climb/descent) is the power setting.
         If an airplane is being flown at a particular
         airspeed in level flight, an increase or decrease
         in power setting will result in a rate of climb
         or descent at this airspeed.  While the angle
         of attack must be maintained to hold airspeed
         in steady flight, a change in power setting will
         necessitate a change in attitude to accommodate
         the new flight path direction.  These princi-
         ples form the basis for "attitude" flying tech-
         nique, i.e., "attitude plus power equals per-
         formance," and provide a background for
         good instrument flying technique as well as
         good flying technique for all ordinary flying
         conditions.
           One of the most important phases of flight
         is the landing approach and it is during this
         phase of flight that the principles of steady
         flight are so applicable. If, during the landing
         approach, it is realized that the airplane is
         below the desired glide path, an increase in
         nose up attitude will not insure that the
         airplane will climb to the desired glide path.
         In fact, an increase in nose-up attitude may
         produce a greater rate of descent and cause
         the airplane to sink more below the desired
         glide path.  At a given airspeed, only an
         increase in power setting can cause a rate of
         climb (or lower rate of descent) and an in-
         crease in nose up attitude without the appro-
         priate power change only controls the airplane
         to a lower speed. 

         
