Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What is the primary pitch instrument when establishing a constant altitude standard rate turn?

1. Altimeter.

2. VSI.

3. Airspeed indicator.

The correct answer is: Altimeter.

When establishing a constant altitude standard rate turn, the primary pitch instrument is the altimeter. The reason for this is that the altimeter provides critical information about the aircraft's altitude, allowing the pilot to maintain the desired flight level during the turn. In a standard rate turn, the objective is to ensure that the altitude remains constant while the aircraft is banking and turning. If the aircraft were to deviate in altitude, either climbing or descending, it could lead to altitude discrepancies that might result in loss of control or unintended altitude changes. The vertical speed indicator (VSI) can provide information on whether the aircraft is climbing or descending, but it is not the primary instrument for pitch control. In fact, the VSI can have a slight lag and may not be as reliable for immediate altitude management during the dynamics of a turn. The airspeed indicator is primarily used to monitor and manage the aircraft's speed, which is crucial in many aspects of flight but does not specifically indicate altitude. Therefore, while it plays an essential role in overall flight management, it does not serve the primary purpose of maintaining altitude during a standard rate turn. Thus, the altimeter is the key instrument for ensuring that the aircraft stays at the intended altitude throughout the turn.