If you want to fly a plane legally and safely, you'll need to get a pilot's license.If you're curious about what a pilot does to safely fly a plane, this overview of the process can give you some insight.A full airplane manual contains hundreds of pages and is not easy to do.Getting familiar with what a pilot does and what you will encounter during your first few training flights will be helped by the below basics.Prepare to Fly an Airplane in an Emergency or Fly a Cessna is a more detailed article that you can visit.
Step 1: The aircraft needs to be inspected before it can be entered.
A walk-around examination is called a "pre-flight."To make sure the airplane components are in good working order, this is a visual inspection.If your instructor gives you an operating checklist for the specific plane, you will know what to do in each phase of the flight.Pre-flight basics.Make sure your ailerons, flaps, and rudder are moving smoothly by removing the control locks..They need to be filled to the levels.You need a clean fuel measuring rod to check the fuel level.There is a dipstick in the engine compartment..A small amount of fuel is drained into a special glass container tool and used to look for water or dirt in the fuel.Your instructor will show you how to do it.It helps ensure that you aren't flying outside the capabilities of your airplane.Your instructor will show you how to do it..If the prop is compromised, your aircraft's flying ability might be affected.Before the engine starts, check the props.Caution is needed around airplane props.The prop could turn over unexpectedly if there are electrical issues with the plane..Prepare for the worst.Something could go wrong with the aircraft.There needs to be a supply of food, water, and first aid items.You need an operating radio, flashlight, and batteries.Standard repair parts for the plane may be needed with a weapon.
Step 2: The flight control is in the cockpit.
When you sit in the cockpit, all of the systems will look complicated, but once you know what they do, they'll look simpler.A flight control that looks like a steering wheel is in front of you.The yoke is a control that works like a steering wheel in a car.The banking of the wings is controlled by it.You can get a feel for the yoke.Pull to go up, then use left and right to roll.Don't use too much force when flying.It doesn't take a lot to control the plane.
Step 3: The controls for the throttle and fuel mixture are located in the middle of the room.
There are two seats in the cockpit.The mixture knob is red.They are usually push/ pull knobs.The mixture knob is used to adjust the fuel-to-air ratio.
Step 4: Understand the flight instruments.
There are six primary flight instruments on most aircraft.These indicators are often referred to as the six pack and show, among other things, altitude, attitude, compass heading, and speed.The aircraft airspeed is usually in knots.A knot is one nautical mile per hour.The "" shows the attitude of the plane, whether it is climbing or descending, left or right.The altitude shows the height of the aircraft, in feet, above the average sea level.The "Needle Ball" or the "Turn and Slip Indicator" is a dual instrument which tells how fast you are changing the compass heading and also whether you're in co-ordinated flight.The lower center shows your aircraft's current compass heading.The instrument should be adjusted every 15 minutes.The instrument should agree with the compass to calibrate.This can be done on the ground or in flight.The "" tells you how fast you are climbing or descending.Zero means that you are not climbing or descending.
Step 5: The landing gear controls can be found.
You won't have a landing gear control knob if you have fixed gear planes.The location of the landing gear control varies, but it usually has a white rubber handle.This will be used after you take off and before you land.Wheels, skis, skids, or floats beneath may be deployed.
Step 6: Your feet should be on the rudder pedals.
The rudder and vertical stabilizer are attached to a set of pedals at your feet.The rudder pedals can be used when you want to go left or right on the vertical axis.The yawing aspect of turning the aircraft is controlled by the rudder.The rudder pedals and brakes control turning on the ground.
Step 7: You have to get permission to take off.
You must contact Ground Control if you are at a controlled airport.Further information as well as a transponder code will be given to you.You have to repeat this information to Ground Control before you can take off.Make sure to never cross any runway unless you are cleared to do so once given clearance, as directed by Ground Control.
Step 8: The flaps should be adjusted for takeoff.
Lift can be increased by 10 degrees of flaps.You should check your aircraft manual.Some aircraft don't use flaps for takeoff.
Step 9: A run-up procedure is performed on an aircraft.
The run-up area is where you should stop before you reach the runway.This is where you'll have to perform the engine run-up procedure.This helps make sure that your aircraft is ready to fly.Ask your instructor to show you the procedure.
Step 10: Inform the tower that you're ready to go.
Wait to be cleared to continue to and/or enter the runway after completing a successful run-up.
Step 11: You should start the take-off run.
Push the fuel mixture knob all the way in.The engine's revolutions per minute will increase and the airplane will start to move.The plane will want to go left when you do this, so add proper rudder to stay on the runway centerline.If there is a crosswind, you need to turn the yoke into the wind.Slowly decrease this correction as you pick up speed.You need to control the yaw with the rudder pedals.The foot pedals can be used to control the plane.
Step 12: Get up to speed.
The plane needs to achieve a certain speed in order to take off.Most aircraft should have full throttle, though some will have a maximum setting.You can build airspeed to 60 knots for small planes.When you have reached this speed, the airspeed indicator will tell you.The nose will lift off the ground when the plane gets enough lift.To maintain the proper climb rate for the particular aircraft, pull gently back on the flight control.
Step 13: The yoke should be pulled back at this time.
The whole airplane will leave the runway and fly into the air.Climb speed should be maintained and proper rudder applied.Return the flaps and landing gear to neutral position if you have a positive rate of climb above the ground.The safe flying time and distance will be extended by this.
Step 14: The artificial horizon is the attitude indicator.
This will keep the plane level.Lift the nose of the airplane if you fall below the artificial horizon.Again, be gentle.It doesn't need much.The best way to keep the plane at the right altitude is to constantly check the attitude indicator and the rest of the six pack.Don't fixate on any single instrument for an extended period of time if you get in the habit of scanning.
Step 15: The plane needs to be bank turned.
Turn the yoke if you have a wheel in front of you.If it is a stick, move it to the left or right.The needle ball is used to coordinate flight.The gauge depicts an airplane with a level line and a black ball.The rudder should be adjusted so that the turns feel coordinated.When co-ordinating a turn, a useful learning aid is to step on the ball to know which rudder pedal to use.The ailerons control the bank angle and work with the rudder.Remember to keep an eye on your altitude and air speed by scanning the six pack, when turning, coordinate the rudder and ailerons by keeping the turn and bank instrument ball centered.The left aileron goes up and the right goes down when the yoke is turned to the left.Don't worry about the mechanics of aerodynamics at this point, just become familiar with the basics.
Step 16: The plane's speed should be managed.
Every airplane has an engine power setting that is tailored for the cruise phase of flight.The power should be set to 75% once you reach your desired altitude.The aircraft should be trimmed for straight and level flight.As you trim the plane, the controls will become easier to use.You can find this power setting on some aircraft, where no rudder input is required to maintain straight line flight.The nose can drift due to the engine Torque and requires an opposite rudder correction.At flight idling power setting, the opposite rudder input is required.It's necessary to keep the plane moving.Flying too slowly can cause the plane to stall.It's important to keep the plane at the right speed during flight, as this is most dangerous during takeoff and landing.You will do the same thing to the plane's engine if you planted your foot on the floor.If you want to maintain airspeed in a climb, increase power and reduce power when you descend.
Step 17: A light touch on the controls is all you need to fly.
It's important not to over-correct if you experience extreme turbulence.Changes in the control surface orientations can push the aircraft past its structural limits, causing damage to the plane and potentially compromising its ability to continue flying.Icing on the carburetor is an issue.There is a small knob.About every ten minutes or so, especially at the high relative humidity levels that encourage icing, apply the heat.This only applies to planes with a carburetor.Don't zone out.You still need to be looking for other aircraft and keeping an eye on the six pack.
Step 18: The engine speed should be set.
You can set the controls and lock them if you get a constant cruising speed.The power on the throttle should be reduced to 75% of where it was set.This should be around 2400rpm for a single engine Cessna.The trim should be set next.The edge of the elevator has a small trim on it.It can be moved out of the cockpit.Setting it correctly will prevent the plane from climbing or descending.There are different types of trims.A wheel, lever, or crank pulls a cable or rod attached to a bell-crank.There is a rod and a jackscrew.An electrical system is the easiest to use.The aircraft will seek and hold the trim setting on each plane.It depends on weight, plane design, center of gravity, and carrying weight.
Step 19: Get clearance to land using the radio.
Staying in touch with ATC, Approach Control, or Tower is an essential part of flight.The correct frequencies can be found on your sectional chart.To make sure no stations are in the middle of an exchange when changing frequencies on the radio, listen for the better part of a minute.If there are no "conversations" going on, you should not make your initial broadcast.The situation where multiple stations are broadcasting at the same time is called the "stepped on" situation.
Step 20: The airspeed can be reduced.
Lower the flaps if you want to do this.Only when the airspeed is within the white arch on the instrument can flaps be deployed at high speeds.Apply back pressure to the control wheel to keep the airspeed and rate of descent stable.It takes practice to know if you're right.Pick a point where you want to go.
Step 21: You should get the right angle of descent.
The mixture of yoke and throttle controls this.You need to have the right combination to land on the runway.This is the hardest part of flying an airplane.The best approach speed is 1.3 times the stalling speed of the aircraft.This should be shown on theASI.Take into account wind speed as well.
Step 22: The numbers should be seen on the runway.
They tell the pilot if he or she is going to overshoot or land short.The numbers are right on your horizon if you lower the nose.You are landing long if the numbers start to disappear.You are landing short if the number is not close to the aircraft nose.You will experience the "ground-effect" as you get closer to the ground.The ground effect causes the plane to float because of the reduced drag near the ground.
Step 23: The throttle should be reduced to make it easier to start the engine.
Pull the yoke back until the two main wheels touch down.Continue to hold the nose wheel off the ground.
Step 24: Come to a stop, please.
You can apply brakes to slow down once the nose wheel has touched down.The off ramp is specified by the tower.Don't stop on the runway.