TM 55-1510-220-10
Section III. INSTRUMENT FLIGHT
8-53. GENERAL.
This aircraft is qualified for operation in instrument
meteorological conditions. Flight handling, stability
characteristics and range are approximately the same
during instrument flight conditions as when under visual
flight conditions.
8-54. INSTRUMENT FLIGHT PROCEDURES.
Refer to FM 1-5, FM 1-230; FLIP; AR 95-1; FC 1-218;
or
applicable
foreign
government
regulations,
and
procedures described in this manual.
8-55. INSTRUMENT TAKEOFF.
Complete the BEFORE TAKEOFF check. Engage
the
heading
(HDG)
mode
on
the
autopilot
computer/control (do not engage autopilot). Set heading
marker (HDG) to runway heading and align the aircraft
with the runway centerline, insuring that nosewheel is
straight before stopping aircraft. Hold brakes and
complete the LINEUP check. Insure that the roll steering
bar is centered. Power application and copilot duties are
identical to those prescribed for a "visual" takeoff. After
the brakes are released, initial directional control' should
be accomplished predominantly with the aid of outside
visual references. As the takeoff progresses, the
crosscheck should transition from outside references to
the flight director and airspeed indicator. The rate of
transition is directly proportional to the rate at which the
outside references deteriorate. Approaching rotation
speed (V
r
), the crosscheck should be totally committed to
the instruments so that erroneous sensory inputs can be
ignored. At rotation speed, establish takeoff attitude on
the flight director. Maintain this pitch attitude and wings-
level attitude until the aircraft becomes airborne. When
both the vertical-velocity indicator and altimeter show
positive climb indications, retract the landing gear. After
the landing gear is retracted, adjust the pitch attitude as
required to attain best rate-of-climb airspeed (V
y
). Use
PITCH-SYNC as required to reposition the flight director
pitch steering bar. Retract flaps after attaining best
single-engine rate-of-climb speed (V
yse
), and readjust
pitch as required. Control bank attitude to maintain the
desired heading. Support flight director indications
throughout the maneuver by crosschecking "raw data"
information displayed on supporting instruments.
NOTE
Due to possible precession error, the pitch
steering bar may lower slightly during
acceleration, causing the pitch attitude to
appear higher than actual pitch attitude.
To avoid lowering the nose prematurely,
crosscheck the vertical velocity indicator
and altimeter to insure proper climb
performance. The erection system will
automatically remove the error after the
acceleration ceases.
8-56. INSTRUMENT CLIMB.
Instrument climb procedures are the same as those for
visual climb. Enroute instrument climbs are normally
performed at cruise climb airspeeds.
8-57. INSTRUMENT CRUISE.
There are no unusual flight characteristics during cruise in
instrument meteorological conditions.
8-58. INSTRUMENT DESCENT.
When a descent at slower than recommended speed
is desired, slow the aircraft to the desired speed before
initiating the descent. Normal descent to approach
altitude can be made using cruise airspeed. Normally,
descent will be made with the aircraft in a cruise
configuration, maintaining desired speed as required.
8-59. INSTRUMENT APPROACHES.
There are no unusual preparations or control
techniques required for instrument approaches. The
approaches are normally flown at an airspeed of (V
ref
)
+20 until transitioning to visual flight.
8-60. AUTOPILOT APPROACHES.
There are no special preparations required for placing
the aircraft under autopilot control. Refer to Chapter 3 for
procedures to be followed for automatic approaches.
8-25
