How to Fly an Airplane Using Only Instruments

The most enjoyable days to fly an airplane are the perfectly clear and cool days. However, sometimes clouds form when you are flying and you must rely on your ability to interpret and use your instruments to get to your destination.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Focus primarily on the attitude indicator, or the "artificial horizon." The attitude indicator provides instant information on the orientation of the airplane with reference to the horizon. The attitude indicator and RPM gauge are your control instruments.
2. Look at the airspeed indicator to see how fast your airplane is moving through the air. The altimeter will tell you how far above sea level your airplane is. Both of these instruments, which are your primary performance, slightly lag the actual aircraft performance and should only be glanced at while flying in reduced visibility.
3. Use the vertical speed indicator to see if the airplane is climbing or descending and how quickly it is doing so. Vertical speed indicators lag the airplane by several seconds and should only be used as a reference to flight trends. The turn and slip indicator shows how fast the airplane is turning. A mark on the instrument shows a standard rate turn of 3 degrees per second. These are your secondary control instruments.
4. Make turns to specific headings using the directional gyro, the most important of your navigational instruments. The directional gyro displays the direction the airplane is currently pointed.
5. Navigate from point to point using the radio navigation instruments. The most common instrument in this group is the VOR receiver. With it, you can select a specific direction you want to fly to and from a ground navigation station. Combined with the directional gyro, you will be able to fly a specific ground track without ever seeing the ground.
6. Set known pitch and power settings on your control instruments. Let your performance instruments stabilize and glance at them to see if you are getting the results you want. Experience and practice are required to figure out what pitch and power settings will allow you to climb, descend or stay level at specific airspeeds, but the rewards will be worth the effort.
7. Scan the instruments continuously to keep control of the airplane. Look at the attitude indicator, glance at another instrument, and then return. Most of your time should be spent looking at the attitude indicator, as it is your primary control instrument.

Tips & Warnings

• To practice flying using only instruments, purchase a vision-restricting device that allows you to see only inside the airplane. You must have a rated safety pilot with you in the airplane when using this device.
• Do not attempt to fly an airplane in actual clouds or fog without an instrument rating. It is illegal and can be dangerous.