Integrated flight instruction teaches student pilots to combine outside visual references with flight instrument indications to develop accurate airplane control. By learning to recognize the airplane’s attitude, cross-check instrument readings, and make smooth control corrections, pilots can improve their awareness of airplane performance and develop sound visual flying skills.
When introducing basic flight maneuvers to a beginning pilot, it is recommended that the “integrated” or “composite” method of flight instruction be used. This method combines outside visual references and flight instruments to establish and maintain desired flight attitudes and airplane performance. With practice, student pilots can develop greater precision and competence in airplane control.
Although this method may become second nature with experience, beginning pilots need to make a determined effort to master the technique. In all cases, pilots must develop sufficient visual skills for safe and effective aircraft control. [Figure 1]
The basic elements of integrated flight instruction are as follows:
- Visual control of airplane attitude: The pilot controls the airplane’s attitude primarily by reference to the natural horizon. Approximately 90 percent of the pilot’s attention should be directed outside the flight deck, including scanning for airborne traffic, while the remaining attention is used for brief instrument checks. The pilot continuously evaluates pitch and bank attitude using outside visual references. When the observed attitude differs from the desired attitude, the pilot should make smooth, precise control inputs to correct it. Continuous visual checks and timely corrections help minimize deviations from the desired heading, altitude, and flightpath.
- Cross-checking flight instruments: The pilot cross-checks the airplane’s attitude and performance using the flight instruments. If the instruments indicate that a correction is necessary, the pilot determines the appropriate adjustment and makes smooth, precise control inputs. The pilot then checks the airplane’s response using both outside visual references and the flight instruments, as appropriate, and maintains the desired attitude by reference to the natural horizon.
- Maintaining an appropriate attention balance: During basic visual flight instruction, most of the pilot’s attention should remain outside the flight deck, with brief instrument checks to verify airplane performance. The 90/10 guideline is an instructional aid, not a rigid rule for every flight condition.
The pilot should become familiar with the relationship between outside visual references to the natural horizon and the corresponding flight instrument indications. For example, a small change in pitch attitude may produce a noticeable change in the airplane’s position relative to the natural horizon while causing only a small movement of the reference bar on the attitude indicator. Similarly, a change in bank angle that is readily apparent from the airplane’s wingtips or cowling relative to the natural horizon may be less obvious on the attitude indicator to a student pilot.
The most common error made by student pilots is to make pitch or bank corrections while still looking inside the flight deck. Student pilots may also fixate on the flight instruments, so conscious effort is often required to return their attention to outside visual references. During supervised training exercises, flight instructors may use flight instrument covers to help student pilots develop the habit of controlling the airplane primarily by reference to outside visual cues or to correct excessive instrument fixation. Instrument covers should be used only when appropriate for the training exercise and under the instructor’s supervision.
Beginning pilots should understand that when the natural horizon cannot be established or maintained, reliable outside visual references may no longer be available for attitude control. Pilots must recognize this limitation and use appropriate procedures and flight instruments when necessary. Integrated flight instruction introduces the use of flight instruments alongside outside visual references, but it does not qualify a pilot for flight in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC). Flight in IMC requires appropriate instrument training, qualifications, and proficiency.