2.3. Use of Controls. When a control surface is moved out of its streamlined position, air flowing past it exerts pressure (air force) against the control surface and tries to return it to neutral. These air forces on control surfaces are felt on the control stick and rudder pedals. Control forces are directly proportional to airspeed and control deflection and provide feedback to the pilot. This feedback, which is felt in terms of forces felt on the control stick and rudder pedals, identifies trim requirements. Air forces can impede positioning of the controls to the desired position.

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2.3.1. How to Use the Rudder. When properly positioned, the heels of the feet rest upon the cockpit floor and the balls of the feet touch the rudder pedals, allowing full rudder application. Rudder application should be smooth and commensurate with applications of power and/or bank to maintain a consistent nose track. To optimize control feel, maintain positive pressure on the rudder pedals.

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2.3.2. How to Use the Brakes. The feet need to be repositioned from heels on the cockpit floor to balls of the feet on the top of the rudder pedals. Smoothly press on the top of the rudder pedals with a rate similar to how you would generally apply the brakes in an automobile. Apply pressure on each individual brake pedal as required to maintain directional control.

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2.3.3. How to Use the Control Stick. Although many maneuvers generate heavy control stick forces, positive feel with fingertips on the control stick optimizes control feel. Hands and arms should remain relaxed. Ideally, during cruise operations, fingertips on the control stick are all that should be needed. Fingertips give the best feedback on minute changes of aircraft trim.

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2.3.4. How to Use the PCL.

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2.3.4.1. Known power settings provide a useful starting point for PCL position. Starting with power settings close to the desired setting minimizes torque and propeller effects. General power settings are listed in Table 2.1. These pitch and power settings are approximate and vary from aircraft to aircraft based on factors such as aircraft weight, pressure altitude, and temperature.

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2.3.4.2. The PCL requires relatively little displacement to change the power. A small PCL movement can result in a larger-than-desired power change. Because torque is controlled by the PMU, the torque may change slightly after the PCL is set.

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2.3.4.3. Proper hand placement on the PCL is critical to safe operations. Place the palm of the hand on the PCL. Never rest your wrist on the PCL; in the past, there have been several instances of improper hand placement leading to contact with the finger lift while retarding the power to idle, leading to an inadvertent engine shut down.

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2.3.5. Other Devices. Other devices controlled by the pilot that also affect aircraft handling are the flaps, landing gear, and speed brake. However, their effects, for the purposes of general aircraft handling, are incidental. Trimming sufficiently compensates for minor aerodynamic effects of these systems.

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