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level flight

Asked by: 2649 views Light Sport Aircraft, Student Pilot

how is altitude maintained after reducing power in level flight

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1 Answers



  1. KDS on Oct 13, 2017

    I’m not sure where your question is focused, so let me give you two different answers. The first is from the aerodynamics view and the second from the pilot’s view. In both answers, I’m assuming you are going from level flight, making a power reduction, and desire to remain in level flight.

    In general terms, lift is a function of airspeed and angle of attack. If power is decreased, the speed will decrease. So, to maintain the same amount of lift, the angle of attack must be increased. Assuming smooth air, as long as the lift equals the weight, the aircraft will remain at the same altitude.

    As a pilot, you know that when you make a power reduction, the speed will decrease and the nose will go down. The airplane will seek to remain at the same speed and will go down unless you apply ever increasing back pressure on the controls (stick or yoke). To take the back pressure off of your hand, you will add some nose up trim. Exactly how and when you trim is a matter of technique.

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