PPL (A) Basic Flight Maneuvers- LESSON 1

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The Four Fundamentals

To master any subject, one must first master the fundamentals.

An attempt to move on to advanced maneuvers prior to

mastering the four fundamentals hinders the learning process.

To be a competent pilot first requires that the pilot is skilled in

the basics of fundamental airmanship. This requires mastery of

the four basic flight maneuvers upon which all flying tasks are

based:

straight-and-level flight,

turns,

climbs, and

descents.

Consider the following: a takeoff is a combination of straight-

and-level and a climb, turning on course to the first navigation

fix after departure is a climb and a turn, and the landing at

the destination is a combination of airplane ground handling,

acceleration, pitch and a climb. 

Effect and Use of the Flight Controls

The airplane flies in an environment that allows it to travel

up and down as well as left and right. That up or down can

be relative to the flight conditions. If the airplane is right

side up relative to the horizon, forward control stick or wheel

(elevator control) movement will result in a loss of altitude.

If the same airplane is upside down relative to the horizon

that same forward control movement will result in a gain

of altitude. In any regard, that forward movement of the

elevator control will always move the airplane in the same

direction relative to the pilot’s perspective. Therefore, the

airplane controls always function the same relative to the

pilot. Depending on the airplane’s orientation to the Earth,

the same control actions may result in different movements

of the airplane.

With the pilot’s hand:

•When pulling

the elevator pitch control toward the

pilot, which is an aft movement of the aileron and

elevator controls, control stick, or side stick controller

(referred to as adding back pressure), the airplane’s

nose will rotate backwards relative to the pilot around

the pitch (lateral) axis of the airplane. Think of this

movement from the pilot’s feet to the pilot’s head

•When pushing the elevator pitch control toward the

instrument panel, which is the forward movement of the

aileron and elevator controls, control stick, or side stick

controller (referred to as increasing forward pressure),

the airplane rotates the nose forward relative to the

pilot around the pitch axis of the airplane. Think of this

movement from the pilot’s head to the pilot’s feet.

•When right pressure is applied to the aileron control,

which is a clockwise rotation of aileron and elevator

controls or the right deflection of the control stick or

side stick controller, the airplane’s right wing banks

(rolls) lower in relation to the pilot. Think of this

movement from the pilot’s head to the pilot’s right hip.

•When left pressure is applied to the aileron control,

which is a counterclockwise rotation of aileron and

elevator controls or the left deflection of the control

stick or side stick controller, the airplane’s left wing

banks (rolls) lower in relation to the pilot. Think of this

movement from the pilot’s head to the pilot’s left hip.

With the pilot’s feet:

•Whenforward pressure is applied to the right rudder

pedal, the airplane’s nose moves (yaws) to the right

in relation to the pilot. Think of this movement from

the pilot’s left shoulder to the pilot’s right shoulder.

•When forward pressure is applied to the left rudder

pedal, the airplane’s nose moves (yaws) to the left in

relation to the pilot. Think of this movement from the

pilot’s right shoulder to the pilot’s left shoulder.

While in flight, the flight controls have a resistance to a pilot’s

movement due to the airflow over the airplane’s control

surfaces, and the control surfaces remain in a fixed position

as long as all forces acting upon them remain balanced. The

amount of force that the passing airflow exerts on a control

surface is governed by the airspeed and the degree that

the surface is moved out of its streamlined position. This

resistance increases as airspeed increases and decreases as

airspeed decreases. While the airflow over the control surfaces

changes during various flight maneuvers, it is not the amount

of control surface movement that is important. What is

important, is that the pilot maneuvers the airplane by applying

sufficient flight control pressures to obtain the desired result.

The pitch and roll flight controls (aileron and elevator

controls, stick, or side-stick control) should be held lightly

with the fingers and not grabbed or squeezed by the hand.

When flight control pressure is applied to change a control

surface position, pressure should only be exerted on the

aileron and elevator controls with the fingers. This is an

important concept and habit to learn which benefits the pilot

as they progress to greater challenges such as instrument

flying. A common error with beginning pilots is that they

grab the aileron and elevator controls with a closed palm

with such force that the sensitive feeling is lost. This must

be avoided as it prevents the development of “feel,” which

is an important aspect of airplane control.

The pilot’s feet should rest comfortably against the rudder

pedals. Both heels should support the weight of the feet

on the cockpit floor with the ball of each foot touching the

individual rudder pedals. The legs and feet should be relaxed.

When using the rudder pedals, pressure should be applied

smoothly and evenly by pressing with the ball of one foot.

Since the rudder pedals are interconnected through springs

or a direct mechanical linkage and act in opposite directions,

when pressure is applied to one rudder pedal, foot pressure

on the opposite rudder pedal must be relaxed proportionately.

Remember, the ball of each foot must rest comfortably on the

rudder pedals so that even slight pressure changes can be felt.