Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What instruments are primary for pitch, bank, and power when reducing power to change airspeed from high to low cruise?

1. Attitude indicator, heading indicator, and airspeed indicator.

2. Altimeter, heading indicator, and manifold pressure gauge.

3. Altimeter, attitude indicator, and airspeed indicator.

4. Attitude indicator, airspeed indicator, and tachometer.

The correct answer is: Altimeter, heading indicator, and manifold pressure gauge.

The correct choice emphasizes the importance of using specific instruments that directly correlate with pitch, bank, and power management during airspeed reduction while transitioning from high to low cruise. In this context: - The altimeter is crucial for maintaining a proper altitude during the power reduction, as reducing power can lead to a descent if not managed properly. Pilots must monitor altitude to ensure they remain at a safe level while decreasing speed. - The heading indicator helps the pilot understand the aircraft's directional stability and ensures that the change in airspeed does not inadvertently cause an undesired yaw or bank, which could affect the flight path and control. - The manifold pressure gauge (or the equivalent instrument, such as a throttle position indicator for piston engines) is significant for managing power settings accurately. As the pilot reduces power, it’s essential to monitor engine performance to ensure that the aircraft remains controllable and performs optimally at lower airspeeds. While attitude indicators, airspeed indicators, and tachometers are also vital instruments for flight operation, they do not completely address the specific elements of managing power, pitch, and bank while reducing airspeed in the same way as the chosen instruments. These instruments collectively provide the necessary information to maintain a stable flight path and safe handling characteristics