top of page

Recovery of Unusual Flight Attitudes

Recovery of Unusual Flight Attitudes
Recovery of Unusual Flight Attitudes

Objective: the student will be introduced to unusual flight attitudes

Completion Standards: the student will be able to explain how to recover from both nose low and nose high flight attitudes. The student will also be able to explain when they can occur.

References: IFH ch7, AFH ch 5

Equipment: White Board and markers, iPad/ computer 

IP’s Actions:

  • Assess student

  • State the objective and completion standards

  • Writes down references

  • Provide attention getter

  • Present content

  • Assessment

  • Assign Homework

SP’s Actions:

  • Take notes

  • Ask Questions

Introduction: 

(Attention Getter) : (Link goes here)

Motivation: (Discuss purpose for lesson and relate to Attention getter)

Overview:

  • What

  • NOSE HIGH 

  • NOSE LOW 

  • COMMON ERRORS





Content:

What is an Unusual Flight Attitude (Nose High or Low)

  • An unusual attitude is commonly referenced as an unintended or unexpected attitude in instrument flight. 

  • A pilot is taught the conditions or situations that could cause an unusual attitude, with focus on how to recognize one, and how to recover from one. 

  • An upset is defined as an event that unintentionally exceeds the parameters normally experienced in flight or training.


Environmental Factors

  • Turbulence

  • Large variation in wind velocity

  • Icing 

    • Can destroy the smooth flow of air over the airfoil and increase drag while decreasing the ability of the airfoil to create lift. 

Mechanical Factors

Modern airplanes and equipment are very reliable, but anomalies do occur. Some of these mechanical failures can directly cause a departure from normal flight, such as: 

  • Asymmetrical flaps. 

  • Malfunctioning or binding flight controls. 

  • Runaway trim.


Human Factors

Pilot or human factors that can lead to an unusual attitude include things such as: 

  • Flying VMC into IMC. 

  • Diversion of Pilot Attention. 

  • Task Saturation

  • Sensory Overload or Deprivation. 

  • Spatial Disorientation.


NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE RECOVERY

If a pilot finds him or herself in a nose high unusual attitude, they should recover by (done in the order listed): 

  1. Increase Power (full if necessary). 

  2. Lower the Nose. 

  3. Level the Wings.


NOSE LOW ATTITUDE RECOVERY

If a pilot finds him or herself in a nose low unusual attitude, they should recover by (done in the order listed): 

  1. Decrease Power (idle if necessary). 

  2. Level the Wings. 

  3. Lower the Nose.


COMMON ERRORS

  • Incorrect assessment of what kind of upset the airplane is in​. 

  • Failure to disconnect the wing leveler or autopilot. 

  • Failure to unload the airplane, if necessary

  • Failure to roll in the correct direction. 

  • Inappropriate management of the airspeed during the recovery.


Conclusion

  • What

  • NOSE HIGH 

  • NOSE LOW 

  • COMMON ERRORS


(Questions to assess student)

When can they happen?

How can they happen?

How do we recover?


HW: Look over IFH and AFH for recoveries





bottom of page