How to Control an Airplane : How does a Pilot Control the Plane?

Mr.Animate

27 Mar 202103:26

Summary

TLDRThis educational video script offers a beginner's guide to airplane controls. It outlines the initial steps, including inspecting the aircraft, familiarizing oneself with the cockpit, and understanding key instruments like the airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, and altimeter. It also covers the functions of the yoke, throttle, and rudder pedals. The script emphasizes the importance of proper training and certification before flying, hinting at future content on takeoff procedures.

Takeaways

🔍 Always start by inspecting the aircraft and referring to the instruction manual.
💺 After sitting, ensure to wear your seat belt and get comfortable.
✈️ The yoke in front of you functions like a steering wheel for controlling the plane's direction.
📉 Push the yoke down to descend, pull to ascend, and use left and right for rolling maneuvers.
🔥 Locate the throttle and fuel mixture controls, which are crucial for managing the aircraft's power.
📋 Familiarize yourself with the six primary flight instruments for essential flight data.
✈️ The airspeed indicator shows the aircraft's speed in nautical miles per hour.
🌐 The artificial horizon provides the aircraft's attitude, including climb, descent, and banking.
📈 The altimeter displays the aircraft's altitude in feet above sea level.
🔄 The turn and bank indicator shows rate of turn and whether the flight is coordinated.
🧭 The heading indicator shows the aircraft's compass heading and requires calibration every 15 minutes.
🛫 The vertical speed indicator informs you of the rate of climb or descent in feet per minute.
🔧 The landing gear controls are on the console and are used to deploy or retract the landing gear.
🦶 The rudder pedals control the yaw of the aircraft, especially during taxiing.
⚠️ This guide is for understanding controls only; proper training and certification are necessary for flying.

Q & A

What is the first step to understanding the controls of an airplane?
-The first step is to initiate an inspection of the aircraft by going through the instruction manual.
What should you do after getting seated in the airplane?
-After getting seated, you should wear your seat belt and become comfortable.
What is the function of the yoke in an airplane?
-The yoke acts similarly to a steering wheel and is used to control the airplane's pitch and roll.
How do you control the airplane to go up or down using the yoke?
-You push down on the yoke to go down and pull it to go up.
Where are the throttle and fuel mixture controls located in the cockpit?
-The throttle and fuel mixture controls are located between the two seats in the cockpit.
What are the six primary flight instruments found in an airplane's cockpit?
-The six primary flight instruments are the airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, altimeter, turn and bank indicator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator.
What does the airspeed indicator show and in what units?
-The airspeed indicator shows the speed of the aircraft in nautical miles per hour.
How often should you calibrate the heading indicator?
-You should calibrate the heading indicator every 15 minutes by adjusting it to agree with the compass.
What is the purpose of the landing gear controls on the console?
-The landing gear controls are used to deploy or retract the landing gear of the airplane.
How do the rudder pedals control the airplane during taxiing?
-The rudder pedals control the yaw of the airplane, allowing it to turn during taxiing.
What is the importance of familiarizing yourself with the airplane's controls before flying?
-Familiarizing yourself with the controls is essential for understanding how to operate the airplane, but it does not provide any authority or certification to fly. Proper training with instructors is recommended.

Outlines

00:00

🛩 Introduction to Airplane Controls

This paragraph introduces the basics of airplane control, starting with an inspection of the aircraft using the instruction manual. It emphasizes the importance of wearing a seatbelt and getting comfortable in the seat. The yoke, which functions like a steering wheel, is explained with its functions for pitch (up and down) and roll (left and right). The location and function of the throttle and fuel mixture controls are also described. The paragraph concludes with an overview of the six primary flight instruments, including the airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, altimeter, turn and bank indicator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator. It advises viewers to familiarize themselves with these instruments and to seek proper training before attempting to fly.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Airplane Controls

Airplane controls refer to the mechanisms and systems that pilots use to manage and direct the flight of an aircraft. In the video, understanding these controls is central to learning how to fly, as they are the primary means of interaction between the pilot and the aircraft. The script mentions various controls such as the yoke, throttle, and rudder pedals, each serving a specific function in controlling the airplane's movement.

💡Yoke

The yoke is a control column found in most general aviation aircraft, used for pitch and roll control. In the script, it is likened to a steering wheel and is crucial for maneuvering the airplane. The yoke allows the pilot to pitch the nose up or down and to initiate rolls to the left or right, as indicated by the instructions to 'push down to go down, pull to go up, and use the left and right to roll'.

💡Throttle

The throttle controls the power output of an aircraft's engine, which in turn affects the aircraft's speed. In the video script, the throttle is mentioned as a black knob located between the seats, emphasizing its importance in flight control. Adjusting the throttle is essential for managing the aircraft's acceleration, deceleration, and maintaining a desired airspeed.

💡Fuel Mixture Control

The fuel mixture control adjusts the ratio of fuel to air in the engine's combustion process. It is described in the script as a red knob, suggesting its critical role in ensuring the engine operates efficiently. Proper fuel mixture is vital for optimal engine performance and can affect factors such as fuel consumption and engine temperature.

💡Primary Flight Instruments

Primary flight instruments are the essential gauges that provide pilots with real-time information about the aircraft's attitude, speed, altitude, and direction. The script lists six such instruments: airspeed indicator, artificial horizon, altimeter, turn and bank indicator, heading indicator, and vertical speed indicator. These instruments are crucial for the pilot to make informed decisions and maintain control of the aircraft.

💡Airspeed Indicator

The airspeed indicator measures the speed of the aircraft through the air, typically in knots or nautical miles per hour. In the video, it is one of the first instruments introduced, highlighting its importance in flight. Knowing the airspeed is essential for takeoff, landing, and maintaining a safe and efficient flight.

💡Artificial Horizon

The artificial horizon is an instrument that displays the aircraft's attitude relative to the Earth's horizon. It helps pilots maintain level flight or perform controlled climbs and descents. In the script, it is described as showing 'whether the plane is climbing or descending, and how it's banking going left or right,' which is critical for maintaining aircraft control and orientation.

💡Altimeter

The altimeter measures the aircraft's altitude above a certain reference point, usually mean sea level. It is a key instrument for pilots to know their height above the ground, which is crucial for safe navigation and collision avoidance. The script mentions the altimeter as showing the aircraft's altitude in feet, which is vital information for pilots.

💡Turn and Bank Indicator

The turn and bank indicator shows the rate of turn and the amount of bank or tilt of the aircraft's wings. It is a critical instrument for coordinated flight, helping pilots to avoid stalls and maintain control during turns. The script describes it as showing 'how fast you're changing the compass heading or rate of turn, and also whether you are in coordinated flight,' which is essential for safe and precise maneuvering.

💡Heading Indicator

The heading indicator displays the aircraft's magnetic heading, which is the direction the nose of the aircraft is pointing. It is crucial for navigation and maintaining a desired course. The script emphasizes the need to calibrate this instrument regularly to ensure accuracy, as it is used to guide the aircraft along intended paths.

💡Vertical Speed Indicator

The vertical speed indicator shows the aircraft's rate of climb or descent in feet per minute. It is an essential instrument for managing the aircraft's altitude changes, especially during takeoff and landing. The script mentions that a zero reading indicates maintaining a constant altitude, which is a key piece of information for pilots.

💡Landing Gear Control

The landing gear control is used to extend or retract the aircraft's landing gear. It is a critical system for ensuring safe takeoff and landing. In the script, it is mentioned as a control on the console, which the pilot uses to deploy or close the wheels, affecting the aircraft's ground handling and aerodynamics.

💡Rudder Pedals

Rudder pedals are foot controls that move the rudder, a vertical surface on the tail of the aircraft, which controls the yaw or sideways movement of the plane. The script explains that these pedals are used for turning during taxiing and are distinct from the yoke, which is used for roll control. Proper use of rudder pedals is essential for coordinated turns and maintaining directional control on the ground and in the air.

Highlights

Initiate an inspection of the aircraft by going through the instruction manual.

Wear seat belt and become comfortable after getting seated.

The yoke in front acts similarly to a steering wheel.

Use the yoke to control pitch (up/down) and roll (left/right).

Locate the throttle and fuel mixture controls between the seats.

Familiarize yourself with the six primary flight instruments.

Airspeed indicator shows the speed of the aircraft in nautical miles per hour.

Artificial horizon shows the aircraft's attitude (climbing/descending, banking left/right).

Altimeter displays the aircraft's altitude in feet above sea level.

Turn and bank indicator shows rate of turn and coordinated flight.

Heading indicator shows the current compass heading of the aircraft.

Calibrate the heading indicator every 15 minutes.

Find the landing gear controls on the console.

Use the landing gear knob to deploy or close the landing gear.

Find the rudder pedals to control the yaw of the airplane.

Use rudder pedals to turn during taxiing, not the yoke.

This guide does not give authority or certification to fly; proper training is recommended.

Next video will teach how to take off in an airplane.

Ensure to go through all these steps thoroughly before flying.

Share your experience in the comments section.

Like the video and subscribe to the YouTube channel for more.