If you want to fly an airplane safely (and legally), you need to get a flight permit. However, if you're in an emergency situation – or you're just curious – knowing how to fly a plane can come in handy. This is no easy feat, and the full manual is hundreds of pages long. Read the following guide to pique your curiosity.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Studying the Controller
Step 1. Inspect the aircraft before you board
Before you take off, it's important to do something called "walk around the plane". This is basically an inspection of the view of the aircraft, checking that every component on the aircraft is working properly.
- Make sure your airplane's wing fins are working properly and check your gas and oil tanks to make sure they're the right size. At many airports, it is common to fill in weight and balance sheets to ensure your aircraft can fly safely with the amount of weight you intend to put on it.
- Look for nicks, dings, and any type of damage to the body of the aircraft that can damage the aircraft's ability to fly, especially on the plane's propellers. Always check the propellers to make sure there are no birds in them before starting your airplane engine.
- Check supplies for emergencies. While this is unpleasant to think about, there is always the possibility of something going wrong on the plane. Make sure you have supplies of food, drink, first aid kit, radio, batteries, weapons you might need, flashlights, and any spare parts you can carry.
- Look at the control column in the cockpit. When you sit in your cockpit seat in the plane, all the systems and buttons will look complicated. However, things will look easy when you understand the function of each button. In front of you will be a long stick that looks like half a steering wheel. This tool is called a control column.
- This control stick is called a “yoke.” It looks like a steering wheel – it controls the height (up and down) of the plane's nose and wings. Familiarize yourself with the tool. Push to go down, pull to go up, left to turn left, and right to turn right. Don't use too much force when flying – you don't need to use full force to control the plane.
Step 2. Look at the throttle control
This tool is usually located between the two seats in the cockpit. Usually shaped like a black lever. In general aviation, this is usually just a push/pull button.
Thrust is also controlled by the throttle. This is in the same place as the propellers that control the propellers, which are used for landing and taking off
Step 3. Look at the instructions on the plane
Things that indicate altitude, direction, and speed. Look for behavioral clues, commonly referred to as the “artificial horizon.” This is a tool that resembles a miniature airplane that shows the movement and angle of your plane.
- Also look for two speed hints. One is called ASI (air speed indicator). This ASI calculates your speed in the air in knots. The other speed indicator is called the GSI (ground speed indicator). This GSI calculates your ground speed, also in knots.
- Another important clue is the altitude guide, which measures the altitude of your aircraft in feet. This tool should indicate the ideal altitude of your aircraft.
Step 4. Look at the controller for landing
The place for this tool varies on different planes, but there is usually a white rubber grip on the tool. You will use this when you take off, land, and drive planes at the airport. Another job of this tool is lifting and lowering tires, skis, wheel supports, or buoys under the aircraft.
Some planes have two wheels, and some planes have three wheels. Three wheels are now a common requirement for airplanes and are easier to land
Step 5. Put your foot on the rubber pedal
There is a pedal on your foot that is used to control the steering (y-axis). This pedal is attached to a vertical stabilizer. When you want to make small adjustments to turn left or right on the vertical axis, you use the steering pedal. This pedal is believed to not make the plane spin. Turn the plane which can make the plane spin.
Using this rudder allows one wing to move further than the other wing. This doesn't make the plane spin, but can result in a slight turn
Part 2 of 4: Take Off
Step 1. Ask permission to take off
If you are at a controlled airport, you must contact the control tower before you line up in the takeoff lane. This will give you more information as well as the transponder code, also known as the “squeak code.” When you are in the cockpit, ask permission to take off, then drive your plane into the takeoff path and prepare for takeoff.
Step 2. Lower the fins on the plane's wings
The fins when lowered, can make the plane lift more when you go slower. Pull the flipper lever one notch to lower the fuselage fin – you should be able to see this from the cockpit.
- Make sure your plane is perpendicular at about 45° to the take-off path and is facing the wind. Set your elevator trim to neutral. Almost everything should be neutral.
- You need to adjust if the plane sways (rotates over the vertical axis) with the steering pedal. If the plane starts to roll, use the foot pedal to control it.
Step 3. Gently push the throttle forward
This will generate thrust. The plane will start moving. If the plane is not moving in a straight line, you can use the pedals to correct it.
If there is wind from the front, hold the steering wheel. Your hands must be active on the steering wheel
Step 4. Accelerate your plane
To take off, the plane must reach a certain speed to create enough lift. Raise the engine to 2200 rpm and you're good to go. The GSI (Ground Speed Indicator) should let you know when you are fast enough to take off.
When the plane is at sufficient speed to take off, you will be able to see the nose of the plane lift off the ground. Gently pull the steering wheel to fly the plane
Step 5. At this point, pull the yoke back
This will lift the entire plane into the air. Many planes are used to turning left when leaving land, so steer to the right.
Return the wing fins to a neutral position to eliminate drag. You must do this at 300 feet (90 meters) in the air as indicated on ASI
Part 3 of 4: Arranging Flights
Step 1. Align the artificial horizon or attitude cues
This will make the plane straight. If the pointer on the artificial horizon is pointing downwards, pull back to lift the nose off the plane. Lift gently, because it does not need to be lifted with a lot.
Step 2. If the wings on the plane are above the horizon, push the yoke forward
However, in this situation, keep an eye on the altitude indications to make sure the plane doesn't descend. If this happens, you will need more thrust to keep the plane flying.
Step 3. Turn the plane
Technically, this is called “banking.” If there is a wheel in front of you (yoke), turn it. If in front of you is a stick, drag it left or right to turn. To make it smooth, push the steering pedal. Make it curve smoothly.
- Ailerons "control" the plane's turning angle, curvature and degree of curvature, although these tools work in conjunction with other controllers as well. This should be shown on your control panel. When turning, adjust the rudder with ailerons to keep the tail behind the nose of the plane. Use the elevator to restore altitude.
- It should be noted that the ailerons work in the opposite direction. Aileron descending means you are lifting the plane, for example.
Step 4. Set the speed of the plane
Each aircraft has an engine power setting which is used for the glide phase of the flight. When you have reached your desired altitude, this force should be adjusted and leveled the plane for a straight and horizontal flight. You will also find some aircraft in which this power setting is in the torque free zone, and input steering is not required to maintain straight flight.
At maximum power you may find the nose of the aircraft tilts slightly due to engine speed and requires reverse steering input, and you may need this reverse steering input on the power off setting
Step 5. To keep the aircraft quiet, it is important to maintain sufficient airflow and speed
Flying too slowly or at too steep an angle can cause the aircraft to lose airflow and altitude. This is most dangerous during takeoff and landing, but it is also important to keep the aircraft at the right speed.
Just as you would turn off the engine of your car if you were driving around with your feet on the floor, this is also the case with airplane engines. Only increase the power to increase the airspeed, and reduce the power to reduce the speed without accelerating
Step 6. Fly with a smooth touch on the controller
If and when you experience turbulence, it's important not to over-justify it. There is a slight lag on the controller and too justified can put you in danger.
- Another case is heating up. Use temporary carb heat, every 10 minutes or so, especially at high humidity which can cause freezing.
- Don't get off track – you still need to watch for other planes and keep an eye on the clues.
Step 7. Adjust the glide speed of the machine
When you've got a steady speed, you can adjust the controller and lock it, so the plane will stay at a steady power and you can focus on keeping the plane straight. At this stage, reduce the force on the throttle, retreating about 75% from the start. For a Cessna with a single engine, a power of around 2400 rpm is usually just right.
- This is called setting the “trim.” This is a small surface on the edge of the steering wheel. Can be bent to adjust power at land speed. Keep elevators and airspeed consistent.
- There are trim systems with different types. Some are wheels, levers, or cranks for pulling wires or rods attached to the trim surface of the crank. The others are screws and rods. And the other is the electric system (the easiest to use). The trim settings on each aircraft have the appropriate speed that the aircraft will seek and hold. Varies in altitude, aircraft type, center of gravity, and weight of aircraft contents.
Part 4 of 4: Landing the Plane
Step 1. Use radio communications to request permission to land
An important part of flying is staying in touch with people on the ground while you are performing landing procedures. Look for open channels and tell us your frequency to connect.
When changing frequencies on a communications radio, it is polite to listen for a minute and make sure there are no radio stations in the middle of the exchange. Only if you are sure there are no “talks” going on should you make your announcement. This helps to avoid station “stepping on” which occurs when multiple radio stations are broadcasting on the same frequency at the same time
Step 2. Slow down the plane
To do this, lower the fins on the fuselage two notches and pull the throttle back. Do this gently to avoid dropping. Stabilize airspeed and descent by applying back pressure on the steering wheel. Knowing whether you are right or not just takes practice.
Use the rudder to avoid the plane from turning. You will begin to enter the land effect, and you will have to slow down consistently and gradually
Step 3. Get a good descent angle and airspeed
It is controlled by a combined throttle and yoke. Once you've found your landing path, you'll need to get the angle right where you landed. In flying an airplane, this is the most difficult part.
A general rule of thumb is the speed to ride multiplied by 1, 3 by the descending speed of the plane. This should be shown in breast milk. However, also think about wind speed
Step 4. Lower the nose of the plane and note the number on the landing line
There's a reason the number is on that line; the number tells the pilot whether he will land over or under. Lower the nose of the plane, keeping the number to the right of your gaze.
- If the number disappears under the nose of the plane, then you are overweight.
- If the number is far from the nose of the plane, you are short.
Step 5. Level the plane and land slowly
Make sure you always control the throttle. When it is close, lift the nose of the plane by pulling on the yoke, leveling the plane. Lower the throttle until the wheels touch the ground. Then the throttle would have to be pulled back and the plane would slow down and come to a stop.
When you are ready to land, open the fins on the plane's wings to reduce speed and allow the plane to fly slower (without descending). It's like a brake in the air and keeps you on track to land as planned
Tips
If you have a pilot buddy, ask him to show you how the controllers on his plane work. This will help you if you are in an emergency situation on your plane
Warning
- If you are in an emergency situation such as the pilot unable to fly the plane and there is a licensed pilot on board, let the pilot fly the plane. Never fly an airplane without a flight permit unless absolutely necessary.
- A person without a flight permit only controls the aircraft in an emergency. Controlling in other situations can result in fines or imprisonment.
