CFI Instrument Practical Test Standards, FAA-S-8081-9B, June 2001

VI. Flight by Reference to Instruments

E. Constant Rate Climbs and Descents

1. Exhibits instructional knowledge of constant rate climbs and descents by describing
   a. Procedure using full panel and partial panel for entry into a constant rate climb or descent (d. below)
   1) Full panel constant rate climb entry
   a) Similar to constant airspeed climb entry
   b) Increase power to approximate setting for desired climb rate and simultaneously
   c) Increase pitch to attitude for desired airspeed and climb rate
   d) As power is increased, ASI is primary for pitch until VSI approaches desired value then
   e) VSI becomes primary for pitch control and
   f) ASI becomes primary power intrument
   2) Partial panel (AI, HI inop) constant rate climb entry
   a) Slow to climb airspeed in SLF then
   b) Add climb power and
   c) Pitch up to maintain airspeed until VSI approaches desired value then
   d) VSI primary pitch instrument
   b. A stabilized constant rate straight climb or climbing turn, using the vertical speed indicator
   1) Full panel
   a) VSI primary pitch instrument
   b) ASI primary for power
   c) Pitch and power corrections prompt and coordinated
   i) VSI high and ASI low: lower pitch on AI and cross check ASI to determine if power adjustment needed
   ii) VSI correct and ASI low: add power and cross check VSI to maintain constant
   
   

   Climb (or descent), straight, constant rate Full panel
   	Pitch	Bank	Power
   Primary	VSI	HI	ASI
   Secondary	AI	AI, TC	MP(RPM)

   
   2) Partial panel (AI, HI inop)
   a) Similar to full panel
   
   
   

   Climb (or descent), straight, constant rate Partial panel
   	Pitch	Bank	Power
   Primary	VSI	TC	ASI
   Secondary	ALT	MC	MP(RPM)

   
   3) Constant rate climb in turn
   a) TC primary bank instrument
   b) Increase rate of cross check and interpretation to maintain proper bank for rate of turn
   c. A level-off from a constant rate straight climb or climbing turn
   1) Full panel
   a) Similar to level-off from constant airspeed climb
   b) Lead altitude by 10% of climb rate (at 500 fpm, begin level off 50 ft below target altitude)
   c) Smooth, steady forward elevator pressure toward level flight attitude
   d) Observe
   i) AI pitch decrease
   ii) VSI decreasing
   iii) ALT needle slowing
   iv) ASI increasing
   e) Initial SLF - constant changes in pitch and torque control as airspeed increases
   f) As airspeed approaches cruise, reduce power to cruise setting
   
   2) Partial panel (AI, HI inop)
   a) Similar to full panel technic
   b) Use ALT, VSI to guide pitch in level-off
   c) Maintain straight flight
   i) Keep TC wings level and
   ii) Ball centered
   3) Level-off from climb in turn
   a) Combine straight climb level-off and turn technics
   b) Increase rate of cross check and interpretation to maintain proper bank for rate of turn during level-off
   d. An entry into a constant rate straight descent or decsending turn
   1) Full panel
   a) Reduce airspeed to desired descent airspeed in SLF (MP/RPM primary for power)
   b) Further reduce power to predetermined setting and simultaneously
   c) Lower nose to establish constant rate on VSI
   d) Trim
   e) VSI now primary pitch instrument
   f) In straight descent, HI primary for bank
   2) Partial panel (AI, HI inop)
   a) Similar to full panel procedure
   b) Use predetermined power settings and airspeeds for desired descent rate
   c) TC primary for bank
   d) ASI, ALT, VSI show varying rates of change until constant rate and attitude achieved, then
   e) Use small pitch variations to maintain constant descent rate
   3) Descending in turn
   a) Combine straight descent entry and turn technics
   b) Increase rate of cross check and interpretation to maintain proper bank for rate of turn during descent entry
   e. A stabilized constant rate straight descent or descending turn
   1) Full panel
   a) VSI primary for pitch
   b) ASI primary for power
   c) Closely coordinate pitch and power adjustments
   2) Partial panel (AI, HI inop)
   a) TC primary bank instrument
   b) ALT supports pitch
   c) MC supports bank
   3) Descending turn
   a) TC primary for bank
   b) Centered ball
   f. Level-off from a constant rate straight descent or descending turn
   1) Full panel
   a) Level-off at speed faster than descending airspeed
   i) Lead 500 fpm descent by 100-150 feet
   ii) Add power and hold forward elevator pressure to maintain descent until 50 feet above target altitude, then
   iii) Smoothly adjust pitch to level attitude
   b) Level-off at descent airspeed
   i) Lead by 10% of VSI rate
   ii) Adjust pitch to level flight attitude and simultaneously
   iii) Add power to maintain constant airspeed
   2) Partial panel (AI, HI inop)
   a) Lead by 10% of VSI rate
   b) Add power to cruise (or other predetermined setting) and simultaneously
   c) Gradually add back elevator pressure to decrease VSI and slow ALT needle
   d) TC primary for bank
   3) Level-off from descent in turn
   a) Combine straight descent level-off and turn technics
   b) Increase rate of cross check and interpretation to maintain proper bank for rate of turn during level-off
2. Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to constant rate climbs and descents by describing
   a. Failure to use a proper power setting and pitch attitude
   1) Use predetermined power settings
   2) Pitch/trim to maintain constant rate on VSI
   3) Avoid overcontrolling pitch - apply small, smooth control pressures while cross checking rapidly
   4) Maintain correct pitch attitude as airspeed changes in level-off
   5) Cross check ASI and VSI before any pitch or power adjustments
   b. Improper correction of vertical rate, airspeed, heading or rate-of-turn errors
   1) Use smooth small control pressures
   2) 2-step corrections
   a) Stop needle movement
   b) Smooth, slow correction
   3) In constant rate climb/descent VSI is primary for pitch (not ASI)
   4) Pitch/trim to VSI
   5) Shallow bank to correct small heading errors
   6) Increase rate of cross check during climb or descent entry and level-off and during climbing or descending turns
   c. Uncoordinated use of controls
   Centered ball
   d. Improper trim control
   1) Trim to relieve control pressures
   2) Small, frequent adjustments
3. Demonstrates and simultaneously explains a constant rate climb and a constant rate descent from an instructional standpoint
4. Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to constant rate climbs and descents

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