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If you wish to legally and safely operate an aircraft, you must enroll in comprehensive training and acquire your pilot's license. However, if you're intrigued by the procedures a pilot follows to ensure safe flight, or if you're starting your own flying lessons, this summary of the process can offer valuable insights. Flying an airplane is a complex endeavor, and a complete aircraft manual can span hundreds of pages. The fundamentals outlined below will help you become acquainted with the duties of a pilot and what you'll encounter during your initial training flights. For more detailed information or for handling emergency situations, visit our article on preparing to fly an airplane in an emergency or learn how to fly a Cessna.
Procedures
Understanding the Controls
Conduct a thorough inspection of the aircraft before boarding. Before takeoff, it's crucial to conduct a visual examination known as a 'pre-flight' around the aircraft. This inspection ensures that all components of the airplane are in optimal condition. Your instructor will provide you with a detailed checklist tailored to the specific aircraft, guiding you through each phase of flight, including pre-flight procedures. The pre-flight checklist includes:
- Inspect control surfaces: Remove any control locks and ensure that ailerons, flaps, and rudder move freely and smoothly.
- Check fuel tanks and oil visually: Verify that they're filled to the recommended levels. Use a clean fuel measuring rod to check fuel levels and a dipstick in the engine compartment to check oil levels.
- Examine for fuel contaminants: Use a specialized glass container tool to drain a small amount of fuel and check for water or dirt contamination.
- Complete a weight and balance sheet: This ensures that the aircraft is within its operational limits. Your instructor will assist you with this.
- Inspect for any damage: Look for nicks, dents, or other body damage that could affect the aircraft's performance, especially concerning the propeller. Always inspect the propeller before starting the engine. Exercise caution around aircraft propellers: Electrical issues could cause unexpected propeller movement, resulting in severe injuries.
- Check emergency supplies: Prepare for potential emergencies by ensuring adequate food, water, and first aid supplies are onboard. Additionally, ensure that the radio, flashlight, batteries, and essential spare parts are available.
Find the flight control (yoke) in the cockpit. As you settle into the cockpit, the array of systems and gauges may seem overwhelming at first, but they'll become more manageable as you become acquainted with their functions. Positioned in front of you is the flight control, resembling a modified steering wheel.
- This control, commonly known as the yoke, functions similarly to a car's steering wheel. It manages the pitch of the nose (up or down) and the banking of the wings. Familiarize yourself with the yoke: push to descend, pull to ascend, and use left and right to roll, steering left and right respectively. Avoid exerting excessive force when flying—minimal effort is sufficient to control the aircraft.
Locate the throttle and fuel mixture controls. Typically situated between the cockpit seats, the throttle is identified by its black color, while the mixture knob is red. In General Aviation aircraft, they're commonly push/pull knobs.
- The throttle regulates thrust, while the mixture knob adjusts the fuel-to-air ratio (lean or rich in gas).
Get to know the flight instruments. Most aircraft feature six primary flight instruments arranged in two horizontal rows, commonly referred to as the six pack. These instruments display essential information, including altitude, attitude, compass heading, and speed—both horizontal and vertical.
- Top left - The 'Airspeed Indicator' displays the aircraft's airspeed in knots.
- Top center - The 'Artificial Horizon' indicates the aircraft's attitude, including climb, descent, and bank angle.
- Top right - The 'Altimeter' shows the aircraft's altitude above sea level.
- Lower left - The 'Turn and Bank Indicator' monitors turn rate and coordination.
- Lower center - The 'Heading Indicator' displays the aircraft's current compass heading and requires periodic calibration.
- Lower right - The 'Vertical Speed Indicator' indicates the rate of climb or descent in feet per minute.
Find the landing gear controls. While many small planes feature fixed landing gear, some have adjustable landing gear controlled by a knob, typically identified by a white rubber handle. This control is utilized after takeoff and before landing and taxiing, facilitating the deployment of non-fixed landing gear such as wheels, skis, skids, or floats.
Position your feet on the rudder pedals. Located at your feet, the rudder pedals control the aircraft's rudder, which is connected to the vertical stabilizer. Use the rudder pedals to make minor adjustments for left or right movement on the vertical axis, managing the yawing aspect of aircraft turning. Ground maneuvering is also governed by the rudder pedals and/or brakes, not the yoke.
Initiating Takeoff
Obtain clearance for takeoff. If you're at a controlled airport, you must contact Ground Control before taxiing. They will provide additional instructions and assign you a transponder code, often referred to as a 'squawk code.' Ensure to jot down this information as it needs to be relayed back to Ground Control for takeoff clearance. Once clearance is granted, proceed to the runway as directed by Ground Control, making sure to never cross any runway unless explicitly authorized.
Set the flaps to the appropriate takeoff angle. Typically, 10 degrees of flaps are utilized to enhance lift during takeoff. However, consult your aircraft manual for specific recommendations as some aircraft may not require flaps for takeoff.
Conduct an aircraft run-up procedure. Prior to reaching the runway, halt at the designated run-up area. Here, you'll perform engine checks to ensure the aircraft's readiness for safe flight.
- Request your instructor to demonstrate this procedure.
Inform the tower of your readiness for takeoff. Following a successful run-up, notify the tower and await clearance to proceed to and/or enter the runway.
Commence the takeoff roll. Push the fuel mixture knob fully in and gradually advance the throttle. This action will increase the engine RPMs (revolutions per minute), generating thrust, and initiating forward movement of the airplane. Note that during this phase, the aircraft may tend to veer left, necessitating the application of appropriate rudder to maintain alignment with the runway centerline.
- If encountering a crosswind, carefully adjust the yoke into the wind. As speed increases, gradually reduce this correction.
- Use the rudder pedals to counter yaw (rotation around the vertical axis) if the aircraft begins to veer off course.
Attain the required speed. To achieve liftoff, the aircraft must reach a certain velocity to generate sufficient lift. In most cases, the throttle should be set to maximum power, although some aircraft may have a predefined maximum setting to prevent over-torquing. Gradually accelerate until reaching the airborne speed (typically around 60 knots for small planes) indicated by the airspeed indicator.
- As the aircraft gains lift, observe the nose lifting slightly off the ground. Apply gentle back pressure on the flight controls while maintaining the appropriate climb rate for the aircraft.
Elevate the nose using the yoke. This action will lift the entire aircraft off the runway and into the air.
- Ensure to maintain climb speed and apply correct rudder input.
- Once at a safe altitude with a positive climb rate indicated by the VSI (Vertical Speed Indicator), retract the flaps and landing gear to their neutral positions. This minimizes drag and extends the aircraft's range and endurance.
Flight Management
Align the aircraft with the artificial horizon or attitude indicator. This ensures the aircraft remains level. If the aircraft dips below the artificial horizon, gently pull back on the controls to raise the nose and lift the aircraft. Exercise caution to avoid overcorrection.
- Maintain situational awareness by regularly scanning the attitude indicator, altimeter, and other instruments in the cockpit. Avoid fixating on a single instrument for extended periods.
Execute a bank (turn) maneuver. If equipped with a yoke, manipulate it to initiate the turn. For aircraft with a stick, shift it left or right accordingly. Maintain coordinated flight by monitoring the turn coordinator, ensuring the black ball remains centered. This instrument aids in achieving smooth, coordinated turns.
- A helpful mnemonic is to think 'step on the ball' to determine which rudder pedal to depress when coordinating a turn.
- The ailerons control the bank angle and work in tandem with the rudder. Coordinate aileron and rudder inputs to center the turn coordinator ball, while monitoring altitude and airspeed via the instrument panel. Note: Aileron deflection causes opposite roll motions on the wings. While these aerodynamic principles may seem complex initially, focus on grasping the fundamental concepts.
Manage the aircraft's speed. Each aircraft has an optimal engine power setting for cruising flight. Once reaching the desired altitude, adjust the power to approximately 75%. Trim the aircraft to maintain straight and level flight, experiencing smoother control inputs as trimming progresses. Some aircraft operate within a torque-free zone at this power setting, requiring minimal rudder input for directional stability.
- At maximum power, counteract lateral nose drift caused by engine torque with appropriate rudder inputs. Similarly, anticipate opposite rudder requirements at flight idle power settings.
- To ensure stability, maintain adequate airflow and speed. Flying too slowly or at excessive angles may lead to aerodynamic stall conditions, particularly critical during takeoff and landing. Maintain proper speed control throughout the flight to prevent stall occurrences.
- Similar to driving a car, continuous high-power settings can strain the engine. Adjust power settings as necessary to control climb rate and descent without excessive acceleration.
Employ a light touch on the flight controls. During periods of severe turbulence, avoid aggressive control inputs. Abrupt changes in control surface deflection may exceed the aircraft's structural limits, risking damage and jeopardizing flight integrity.
- Additionally, beware of carburetor icing. Engage carb heat periodically, particularly in high humidity conditions conducive to icing. Note: Carburetor icing prevention applies solely to carburetor-equipped aircraft.
- Maintain vigilance. Remain attentive to other aircraft and continuously monitor flight instruments for situational awareness.
Establish the cruising engine speed. Upon achieving a consistent cruising velocity, adjust and secure the controls to maintain a constant power setting, allowing focus on maintaining level flight. Reduce throttle power to approximately 75% of the previous setting, typically around 2400 RPM for a single-engine Cessna.
- Subsequently, trim the aircraft. The trim tab, located on the elevator's trailing edge, can be adjusted from the cockpit. Proper trim alignment prevents unintended altitude deviations during cruise flight.
- Various trim systems exist, including manual mechanisms like wheels, levers, or electrical systems for simplified operation. Each trim setting corresponds to a specific aircraft speed, influenced by factors such as weight, center of gravity, and payload.
Approaching Landing
Request landing clearance via radio communication. Maintaining contact with ATC (Air Traffic Control), Approach Control, or Tower is crucial during landing. Refer to your sectional chart for the appropriate frequencies.
- Before broadcasting on a new frequency, it's courteous to listen for a short period to ensure no ongoing exchanges. This helps prevent interference when multiple stations transmit simultaneously.
Decrease airspeed. Reduce power and extend flaps to the suitable position. Avoid deploying flaps at excessive speeds (only within the designated airspeed range). Maintain stable airspeed and descent rate by applying back pressure on the control wheel. Practice aids in determining correct adjustments.
- Select a target point and initiate descent.
Attain the appropriate descent angle and airspeed. Adjust throttle and yoke to achieve the ideal combination for landing upon approaching the runway. Precision in controlling these parameters is paramount in aviation.
- Typically, the optimal approach speed is 1.3 times the aircraft's stalling speed, as indicated on the ASI. However, factor in wind speed for accurate adjustments.
Lower the nose while monitoring runway markings. These indicators aid pilots in determining landing accuracy. Keep the runway numbers aligned with the horizon during descent.
- If the numbers disappear under the nose, the landing may be long.
- If the numbers move away from the nose, the landing may be short.
- During final approach, experience ground effect, causing the aircraft to float slightly due to reduced drag near the surface.
Reduce throttle to idle. Gradually raise the nose using the yoke until the main wheels touch down. Maintain nose wheel elevation until it naturally settles onto the ground.
Bring the aircraft to a halt. Once the nose wheel makes contact with the ground, engage the brakes to decelerate for exiting the runway swiftly. Immediately proceed to the designated off-ramp indicated by the control tower. Never stop on the runway.
Pointers
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If you have a friend who's a pilot, ask them to demonstrate how the aircraft controls operate. Familiarity with the controls can be invaluable in emergency situations.
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Obtain clearance for takeoff to ensure the control tower can monitor your flight progress.
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You can gain substantial knowledge about flying an airplane and begin your journey toward obtaining a pilot license without spending money:
- How to Start Free Online Pilot Training with FAA Safety.gov
- How to Begin Free Pilot Training Online with AOPA.org
- Fly a Cessna
Precautions
- An individual without a pilot's license should only assume control of an aircraft in an emergency. Taking control in any other scenario could result in fines or imprisonment.
- In an emergency where the pilot is incapacitated and a licensed pilot is present on board, allow the licensed pilot to assume control. Only take control yourself in dire circumstances.
