If during a straight and level flight the pilot reduces the engine thrust, the aircraft will start to lose
altitude. To continue the level flight, one needs to pull back on the stick and thereby increasing AoA.
AoA and IAS are connected with an aircraft’s lift characteristics. When aircraft AoA is increased up to
critical value, aerodynamic lifting force also increases. Increasing indicated airspeed at a constant
AoA can also contribute to lifting forces. However, induced airframe drag also increases when AoA
and airspeed increase. One has to keep this in mind or the aircraft could depart controlled flight. For
example, the aircraft may depart if the pilot exceeds AoA limits. Limitations are always indicated on
the aircraft’s AoA indicator gauge.
ABRUPT, HIGH-G MANEUVERING AT HIGH ANGLES-OF-ATTACK MAY CAUSE THE AIRCRAFT DEPARTURE
When aircraft AoA is increased up to a critical value, the airflow becomes disrupted over the wing and
the wing ceases to generate lift. Asymmetrical air-mass separation from the left and right wings can
induce side movement (yaw) and stall the aircraft. The stall may happen when the pilot exceeds the
allowed AoA. It is especially dangerous to get into stalls when in air combat; in a spin and out of
control, you’re an easy target for the enemy.
When in a spin, the aircraft rotates about its vertical axis and constantly losing altitude. Some types
of aircraft may also oscillate in pitch and roll. When in a spin, the pilot has to concentrate all his
attention on recovering the aircraft. There are many methods to recover various aircraft types from a
spin. As a general rule, one should reduce thrust, deflect rudder pedals in the opposite direction of
the spin, and keep the flight stick pushed forward. The control devices should be kept in this position
until the aircraft stops spinning and enters a controllable, nose-down pitch angle. After recovering,
place the aircraft back into level flight, but be careful not to re-enter a spin. Altitude loss during a
spin can reach several hundred meters.
TO RECOVERY THE AIRCRAFT FROM A SPIN: REDUCE THRUST, DEFLECT RUDDER PEDALS IN THE OPPOSITE
DIRECTION OF THE SPIN, AND PUSH THE CONTROL STICK FORWARD. LEAVE THE CONTROLS IN THIS POSITION
UNTIL THE SPIN CEASES
Turn Rate and Radius of Turn
The aerodynamic lift force vector is oblique to the aircraft’s velocity vector. As long as the force of
gravity is balanced by the lifting force, the aircraft maintains level flight. When the aircraft’s bank
angle changes, the lift force projection on the vertical plane decreases.
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