Instrument Instructors - Question

[meritflyer]

When you teach a student to initiate a climb from straight and level, do you teach them to first set the approximate pitch attitude for the climb then bring in the power or the other way around (power first then pitch)?

Thanks.

[Champcar]

I was taught power then pitch.

[meritflyer]

I learned pitch + power = performance. I heard some guy telling it the other way a few days ago.

[Champcar]

I dont see how it can make a differance but Im sure someone can give me lecture on how.

[JimmyDean]

From chapter 5 of the Instrument Flying Handbook:

Originally Posted by the FAA

To enter a constant-airspeed climb from cruising airspeed, raise the miniature aircraft to the approximate nose-high indication for the predetermined climb speed. The attitude will vary according to the type of airplane you are flying. Apply light back-elevator pressure to initiate and maintain the climb attitude. The pressures will vary as the airplane decelerates. Power may be advanced to the climb power setting simultaneously with the pitch change, or after the pitch change is established and the airspeed approaches climb speed.

The technique for entering a constant-rate climb is very similar to that used for entry to a constant-airspeed climb from climb airspeed. As the power is increased to the approximate setting for the desired rate, simultaneously raise the miniature aircraft to the climbing attitude for the desired airspeed and rate of climb.

I think this is called the commutative property of addition:

Power + Pitch = Performance,

or,

Pitch + Power = Performance!

[FlyingNole]

Eh, I guess it could work either way, but I learned and teach power than pitch....Like power for altitude, pitch for airspeed. So if I want to change altitude and climb at 90kts, Ill add appropriate power (generally full power in a 172) and pitch for my desired climb airspeed.

[ColMustard]

Originally Posted by FlyingNole

Eh, I guess it could work either way, but I learned and teach power than pitch....Like power for altitude, pitch for airspeed. So if I want to change altitude and climb at 90kts, Ill add appropriate power (generally full power in a 172) and pitch for my desired climb airspeed.

Anytime you change power, the pitch and trim will change (or want to). Less involved with this technique:
-power then pitch; vs.
-pitch then power then pitch again

It happens so fast on the climb, that this technique really is more useful during descents.

Different technique though in level-offs. In that case its pitch first, then power, then trim.

-ColM

[desertdog71]

Power then pitch for climbs and descents.

For transitioning from a climb or descent to straight and level. Pitch, Power, Trim.

At least that is what i have been taught. Not that I have read it anywhere specifically yet.

Seems to work pretty good though.

[MidlifeFlyer]

This came up yesterday during a Discovery Flight (nothing to do with instruments, of course). Even at that level, I teach climb entry as a pitch change to the climb attitude, followed by the power increase needed to climb.

But I also point out, even then, that this breakdown into a sequence is really just for training purposes and ultimately both changes will probably be made simultaneously.

If an instrument students basic skill was at the level where we actually needed to work on this, I'd go back to the same basics I teach during a Discovery Flight.

It's really just a teaching technique that works for me - no claims that it's the only right way to do it.

[Dugie8]

Think of it this way, pitch doesn't make the airplane climb, power does (over any length of time). If the airplane is trimmed for level flight, the addition of power should make the airplane climb on its own with some trim adjustment for proper airspeed.

[ColMustard]

Originally Posted by Dugie8

Think of it this way, pitch doesn't make the airplane climb, power does (over any length of time). If the airplane is trimmed for level flight, the addition of power should make the airplane climb on its own with some trim adjustment for proper airspeed.

Power and trim is almost everything in instrument flying. You add a good scan and an understanding of procedures, and BAM!!, your an instrument pilot!

-ColM