User Guide

Learning To Fly with Rod Machado
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Remember, radial scanning is a lot of work: physically, intellectually, and emotionally. It is possible to
radial scan all the instruments on the panel, but this is usually unnecessary and can become very
tiresome. Radial scan only those instruments necessary to control the airplane.
Tips from the Professionals
Over the years, some professionals have reported a rather unusual method of detecting instrument
deviation once the airplane’s attitude has been established and the aircraft trimmed. These pilots
focus their vision in the center of the panel, just underneath the attitude indicator. Relying upon only
their peripheral vision, they watch for any instrument movement. In much the same way a speed
reader is taught to take in three or four words at a glance, instrument pilots can absorb information
from clusters of instruments at a single glance. Developing peripheral vision takes practice, but it
does seem to represent the higher art of instrument flying. Until then, keep your eyes moving around
the panel while looking for attitude deviations.
Subtle Secrets
The VSI, once mastered, provides additional useful information for the precise control of an aircraft.
Most pilots also find the VSI useful for helping maintain level flight within the 10- to 20-foot range.
Sometimes it’s easier to use the VSI than the AI to identify trends away from level flight because of
the large swing arc and greater sensitivity of its needle. Taking time to learn to fly the VSI with
precision pays off handsomely.
There are many boring things to do in life, but instrument flying isn’t one of them. The art of flying
instruments is a challenging test of your mettle. Instrument flying offers you the opportunity to master
the airplane and yourself. Perhaps this is why most instrument pilots are so happy. They realize the
scope of their accomplishment. I should warn you, however, that looking really happy at the airport is
often inconvenient. Someone might become suspicious and require you to take a drug test. Be
cautious!
Now that you’ve learned to fly with your instruments, the next tutorial will teach you how to get back
on the ground when all you can see out the window is a cloud.