2.7. Composite Flight Composite flight utilizes outside references, complemented by flight instruments, to establish and maintain desired flight attitudes.

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2.7.1. Establish and maintain an attitude by positioning the nose and wings of the aircraft in relation to the horizon.

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2.7.2. While maintaining this position, use trim to reduce or eliminate control pressures. A failure to adequately trim at this point in the cross-check will result in ineffective aircraft control. See paragraph 2.4 for a discussion on trim techniques.

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2.7.3. Small changes in attitude may not be readily noticed by outside reference to the horizon but is indicated by the flight instruments. An over reliance on instrumentation to maintain aircraft attitude is a common error in composite flight and results in excessive head-down time that impedes ability to observe aircraft and other hazards.

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2.7.4. Time spent looking at specific cues (e.g., horizon, flight instruments, etc.) varies with flight conditions. Use the following basic rules to develop an effective cross-check:

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2.7.4.1. Do not concentrate on one cue.

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2.7.4.2. Clear vigilantly for other aircraft.

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2.7.4.3. Check one parameter, make a correction using outside references (if available), and then check another parameter. Repeat this cycle.

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2.7.4.4. A single pitch change can correct a deviation involving both altitude and airspeed. For instance, if the aircraft is 100 feet high, and approximately 5 knots slow in the traffic pattern, a minor pitch down should put the aircraft close to desired parameters. This is often referred to as “trading altitude for airspeed”.

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2.7.4.5. In clear flight conditions (e.g., horizon clearly discernible), devote approximately 80 percent to outside references (and clearing) and 20 percent to inside references (flight instruments).

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