Straight-and-Level, Climbs, Descents, Turns to Headings
Private Pilot ACS · Area VIII · Task A · FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-3
Everything you need to know about Straight-and-Level, Climbs, Descents, Turns to Headings for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task VIII-A, covering straight-and-level, climbs, descents, turns to headings.
Instrument Cross-Check Scan §
Instruments are cross-checked in a continuous pattern. No single instrument gives the full picture — cross-reference all six:
Pitch: AI, altimeter, VSI, ASI
Bank: AI, turn coordinator, HI
Power: ASI, tachometer/MAP, VSI
Common scan errors: Fixating on one instrument. Neglecting the AI. Chasing the altimeter or VSI (which are lagging instruments). The AI gives the most immediate pitch and bank information.
Pitch: AI, altimeter, VSI, ASI
Bank: AI, turn coordinator, HI
Power: ASI, tachometer/MAP, VSI
Common scan errors: Fixating on one instrument. Neglecting the AI. Chasing the altimeter or VSI (which are lagging instruments). The AI gives the most immediate pitch and bank information.
AFH Ch.7
ACS Tolerances — Instrument Flight §
Straight-and-level: ±100 ft, ±10 kts, ±10° heading
Constant airspeed climbs/descents: ±100 ft at level off, ±10 kts, ±10° heading
Turns to headings: Rollout within ±10° of target heading, ±100 ft, ±10 kts
Standard rate turn: 3°/second = 360° in 2 minutes. Bank angle ≈ TAS ÷ 10 + 5. At 100 kts: ≈ 15° of bank. The turn coordinator's standard rate mark aligns with standard rate.
Constant airspeed climbs/descents: ±100 ft at level off, ±10 kts, ±10° heading
Turns to headings: Rollout within ±10° of target heading, ±100 ft, ±10 kts
Standard rate turn: 3°/second = 360° in 2 minutes. Bank angle ≈ TAS ÷ 10 + 5. At 100 kts: ≈ 15° of bank. The turn coordinator's standard rate mark aligns with standard rate.
AFH Ch.7; ACS PA.VIII.A–D