Task VIII.A
Straight-and-Level Flight
To determine the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with flying during straight-and-level flight solely by reference to instruments.
References: FAA-H-8083-2, FAA-H-8083-3, FAA-H-8083-15, FAA-H-8083-25
Quick Review
The basic instrument tolerances:
- Altitude: ±200 ft
- Heading: ±10°
- Airspeed: ±10 kt
Plus prompt recovery from unusual attitudes — these tolerances apply across the basic instrument tasks.
Tolerances per FAA-S-ACS-6C (ASEL).
Study Notes
Two ways to think about it.
Control and performance: set attitude on the AI and power on the tach, then confirm the result on the performance instruments (ASI, altimeter, VSI, HI, TC).
Primary and supporting: for each maneuver, one instrument gives the most direct answer for pitch, bank, and power. In straight-and-level: altimeter primary for pitch, heading indicator primary for bank, ASI primary for power (IFH ch 6).
The radial (hub-and-spoke) scan: eyes return to the attitude indicator between glances at each performance instrument — AI, altimeter, AI, HI, AI, ASI, and so on. The AI is the only instrument showing pitch and bank at once, so it anchors the scan (IFH ch 6).
- Fixation — staring at one instrument (usually whichever is misbehaving).
- Omission — dropping an instrument from the scan.
- Emphasis — trusting one instrument instead of the combination.
The fix for all three is a disciplined return to the AI and small, patient corrections (IFH ch 6).
- Gyros (AI, HI): precession — the HI drifts and needs resetting against the compass every 10–15 minutes in level flight.
- VSI: lags 6–9 seconds.
- ASI: sluggish to pitch changes.
- Magnetic compass: only reliable in straight, level, unaccelerated flight (IFH ch 5).
An out-of-trim airplane demands constant control pressure, which destroys the light touch small corrections require and eats attention that belongs to the scan. Trim off the pressure after every attitude or power change — attitude, power, trim, then scan (IFH ch 7).
Continued VFR into IMC is consistently one of the deadliest accident categories — spatial disorientation can take an untrained pilot from wings-level to a graveyard spiral in under three minutes. The basic instrument tasks exist so I can keep the airplane upright, turn around, and get help (climb, communicate, confess, comply) if I ever blunder into cloud (PHAK ch 17, AIM 6-1-2).
Official ACS elementsreference
Knowledge5 elements
The applicant demonstrates understanding of:
PA.VIII.A.K1Flight instruments as they relate to:PA.VIII.A.K1aa. Instrument limitations and potential errorsPA.VIII.A.K1bb. Indication of the aircraft attitudePA.VIII.A.K1cc. Function and operationPA.VIII.A.K1dd. Proper instrument cross-check techniques
Risk Management8 elements
The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risk associated with:
PA.VIII.A.R1Instrument flying hazards, including failure to maintain visual flight rules (VFR), spatial disorientation, loss of control, fatigue, stress, and emergency off airport landings.PA.VIII.A.R2When to seek assistance or declare an emergency in a deteriorating situation.PA.VIII.A.R3Collision hazards.PA.VIII.A.R4Distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.PA.VIII.A.R5Fixation and omission.PA.VIII.A.R6Instrument Interpretation.PA.VIII.A.R7Control application solely by reference to instruments.PA.VIII.A.R8Trimming the aircraft.
Skills2 elements
The applicant exhibits the skill to:
PA.VIII.A.S1Maintain straight-and-level flight using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated control application.PA.VIII.A.S2Maintain altitude ±200 feet, heading ±20°, and airspeed ±10 knots.