Focus question: How do small, coordinated control inputs keep an airplane stable and predictable?
Lesson Overview
Learning Targets
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
Identify how pitch, roll, and yaw are controlled in the simulator.
Use the PFD to monitor attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, and vertical speed.
Maintain approximately straight-and-level flight using smooth control inputs.
Instructor Setup
Start the aircraft airborne in visual conditions with light or no wind.
Place the airplane at a comfortable training altitude with room to maneuver.
Confirm the yoke/stick, rudder pedals, throttle, trim, PFD, and MFD are functioning normally.
30-Minute Plan
Session Timeline
0–5 min
Cockpit scan
Identify the primary flight controls and the PFD indications for attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, and vertical speed.
5–10 min
Instructor demonstration
Demonstrate small pitch, roll, rudder, throttle, and trim inputs. Show how each input appears on the flight display.
10–20 min
Student practice
Maintain straight-and-level flight, then make small heading and altitude corrections without overcontrolling.
20–27 min
Control challenge
Maintain a target altitude within ±200 ft and target heading within ±15° for two continuous minutes.
27–30 min
Debrief
Identify which control inputs caused the largest deviations and what improved stability.
Student Mission
Flight Tasks
Establish straight-and-level flight.
Make a shallow left turn and return to the assigned heading.
Make a shallow right turn and return to the assigned heading.
Climb approximately 500 ft, level off, then descend back toward the original altitude.
Finish in stable straight-and-level flight.
Completion Check
Ready to Move On?
Uses pitch and roll smoothly rather than making abrupt inputs.
Uses rudder appropriately to support coordinated flight.
Can identify the major PFD indications without instructor prompting.
Can recover from a small heading or altitude deviation.
Instructor decision: Repeat, practice during Free Flight, or continue to the next instructor-led lesson.
Guide basis: The SR7x Home provides physical pitch/roll controls, rudder pedals, throttle/power controls, trim, and electronic PFD/MFD instrumentation designed to respond in real time to pilot inputs.
