B1101 FLIGHT 1.0 hours simulator

Basic Aircraft Control

Training Location: MOA

This lesson is conducted in a Military Operations Area (MOA). MOA activation and entry procedures will be practiced as part of the sortie flow. Coordinate with ATC/Center for MOA activation prior to entry.

OBJECTIVE

Develop trainees' proficiency in fundamental aircraft handling under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in a virtual simulator, focusing on attitude control, power management, and trim usage to build a solid foundation for advanced maneuvers. Includes MOA activation procedures and working area entry/exit.

CONTENT

MOA Activation & Entry

  • • Pre-departure: Request MOA activation from Center/controlling agency during flight plan or enroute.
  • • Entry procedures: Obtain clearance into MOA, note altitude block and time limits.
  • • Working area calls: "FENCE In" when entering MOA, "FENCE Out" when departing.

EXAMPLE MOA REQUEST

"Fort Worth Center, Talon41, request activation WESTOVER MOA, 9000-FL180."

Aircraft Attitude and Control Inputs

  • • Primary flight controls: Elevator for pitch (attitude), ailerons for roll (bank), rudder for yaw (coordination); effects of power changes on pitch.
  • • Visual references: Using horizon for straight-and-level, cross-checking with instruments like attitude indicator and altimeter.

PRIMARY FLIGHT CONTROLS

Elevator

Pitch Control

Ailerons

Roll/Bank

Rudder

Yaw/Coordination

Straight-and-Level Flight

  • • Maintaining constant altitude (±500 ft), heading (±20°), and airspeed (±20 knots) using small corrections and trim.
  • • Scan pattern between outside visual references and instrument cross-check.

Coordinated Turns

  • • Standard rate turns: 3°/sec to specific headings; applying rudder to prevent adverse yaw.
  • • Level, climbing, and descending turns; load factor awareness and stall prevention.

STANDARD RATE TURN

3° per second = 360° in 2 minutes

Climbs and Descents

  • • Constant airspeed climbs/descents: Set power, adjust pitch for target speed (e.g., climb at 300 knots).
  • • Level-offs: Anticipate with power/pitch adjustments to avoid overshoots.

Common Errors and Corrections

  • • Overcontrolling: Use small inputs; chasing instruments vs. smooth trends.
  • • Integration with communications: Multitasking basic radio calls during maneuvers.

SORTIE TASKS

No controller required. No instructor required. Fly on VATSIM IAW VATSIM regulations.

Pre-Sortie

  1. 1File a VFR flight plan on VATSIM and connect to the network as pilot
  2. 2If ATC is online, obtain ATIS and contact Ground/Tower; if not, depart via CTAF self-announce

Sortie

  1. 3Depart and climb to a planned VFR cruising altitude, following VATSIM regulations throughout
  2. 4Maintain straight-and-level flight within ±500 ft altitude, ±20° heading, ±20 kts airspeed
  3. 5Perform coordinated turns to at least four different headings
  4. 6Execute climbs and descents between at least two different altitudes
  5. 7Return to home field; contact tower or self-announce on CTAF as appropriate

Post-Sortie

  1. 8Full-stop landing and taxi to parking with correct after-landing comms
  2. 9Log the sortie in the vTAC flight log system

Approved Callsigns

KENT

COMPLETION STANDARDS

Trainees will demonstrate smooth execution of basic aircraft control maneuvers in the simulator without instructor intervention. Trainees must:

  • • Successfully request and receive MOA activation
  • • Maintain tolerances across at least five repetitions of each maneuver
  • • Demonstrate accurate self-corrections per standards

FLIGHT TOLERANCES

±500 ft

Altitude

±20°

Heading

±20 kts

Airspeed

Completion: Demonstrate proficiency with instructor sign-off

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