Focus question: How do bank angle, pitch, power, and coordination work together during basic maneuvers?
Lesson Overview
Learning Targets
By the end of this session, you should be able to:
Perform controlled turns while maintaining awareness of altitude and airspeed.
Use coordinated pitch and power changes for climbs and descents.
Observe how configuration and power changes affect aircraft attitude.
Instructor Setup
Begin airborne at a comfortable altitude in visual conditions.
Use calm or light-wind conditions.
Choose an assigned altitude and starting heading for repeatable maneuver practice.
30-Minute Plan
Session Timeline
0–5 min
Maneuver brief
Review shallow and medium-bank turns, climb entry, descent entry, level-off, and trim.
5–10 min
Instructor demonstration
Demonstrate a coordinated turn, a 500-ft climb, a level-off, and a controlled descent.
10–22 min
Student practice
Practice left/right turns, climbs, descents, and level-offs while monitoring the PFD.
22–27 min
Sequence challenge
Fly the assigned heading/altitude sequence without pausing the simulator.
27–30 min
Debrief
Discuss coordination, bank control, vertical speed, and how power changes affected pitch and airspeed.
Student Mission
Flight Tasks
From the assigned heading, make a 20–30° bank turn to a new heading.
Climb approximately 1,000 ft while maintaining a stable heading.
Level off and stabilize airspeed.
Make a second turn, then descend approximately 1,000 ft.
Return to straight-and-level flight.
Completion Check
Ready to Move On?
Uses a controlled bank angle and avoids excessive overcorrection.
Maintains awareness of heading while climbing or descending.
Levels off without large altitude overshoot.
Can explain the effect of power/configuration changes on pitch and airspeed.
Instructor decision: Repeat, practice during Free Flight, or continue to the next instructor-led lesson.
Guide basis: The QAG verifies normal and steep turns, climb performance, uncoordinated turn demonstrations, and configuration/power changes with corresponding pitch effects.
