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

VI. Flight by Reference to Instruments

The examiner shall select this TASK H and at least one other TASK. The applicant shall select either the primary and supporting or control and performance method for teaching this AREA OF OPERATION.

H. Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes

To determine that the applicant
  1. Exhibits instructional knowledge of recovery from unusual flight attitudes by describing
      a. Conditions or situations which contribute to the development of unusual flight attitudes
        1) Turbulence
        2) Disorientation
        3) Instrument failure
        4) Confusion
        5) Preoccupation with cockpit duties
        6) Carelessness in cross checking
        7) Errors in instrument interpretation
        8) Lack of proficiency in aircraft control
      b. Procedure using full panel and partial panel for recovery from nose-high and nose-low unusual flight attitudes
        1) Recognize unusual attitude
          a) Nose high
      Nose High Unusual Attitude
            1) Airspeed too slow, decreasing (ASI)
            2) ALT increasing
            3) TC shows turn
            4) VSI positive rate, climb

          b) Nose low
      Nose Low Unusual Attitude
            1) Airspeed too fast, increasing (ASI)
            2) ALT decreasing
            3) TC shows turn
            4) VSI negative rate, descent
        2) Recover using ASI, TC, ALT, VSI (and ignoring AI and HI, which may have failed), so full and partial panel recoveries are the same
          a) Nose high recovery
            1) Add power
            2) Lower nose
            3) Level wings
          b) Nose low recovery
            1) Reduce power
            2) Level wings
            3) Raise nose
          c) Memory aid
            1) Nose HIGH unusual attitude: ASI needle points at NOSE - lower nose before leveling wings OK
            2) Nose LOW unusual attitude: ASI needle points at WING - level wings before raising nose
  2. Exhibits instructional knowledge of common errors related to recovery from unusual flight attitudes by describing
      a. Incorrect interpretation of the flight instruments
        1) Learn to recognize nose high and nose low unusual attitudes
        2) Believe the flight instruments (not your body's false motion sensing system)
        3) Assume AI, HI may have failed, cross check and recover using ASI, ALT, TC, VSI
      b. Inappropriate application of controls
        1) Cross check and interpret ASI, ALT, TC, VSI accurately
        2) Follow correct recovery sequence
        3) Smooth, positive, prompt, coordinated control
  3. Demonstrates and simultaneously explains recovery from unusual flight attitudes, solely by reference to instruments, from an instructional standpoint
  4. Analyzes and corrects simulated common errors related to recovery from unusual flight attitudes

References
Aviation Instructor's Handbook, FAA-H-8083-9
Instrument Flying Handbook, FAA-H-8083-15, 1999
Instrument Rating PTS, FAA-S-8081-4D, April 2004


Greg Gordon MD, CFII
Updated: