BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE AIR FORCE ...

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AFMAN 11-217V1 3 JANUARY 2005
4.3.4.2. Immediate Changes. When making a pitch adjustment on the attitude
indicator to correct for an airspeed deviation, the airspeed indicator will not reflect an
immediate change. The results of pitch attitude changes can often be determined
more quickly by cross-checking the change in vertical velocity indication. For
example, while climbing, a pilot notes that the airspeed is remaining slightly high and
realizes that a small pitch adjustment is required. If the pitch adjustment results in a
small increase of vertical velocity, the pilot knows, even though the airspeed may not
yet show a change, that the pitch correction was approximately correct. When
properly used in attitude instrument flying, the vertical velocity indicator is an
excellent aid in maintaining airspeed.
4.3.4.3. Desired Altitude. Prior to reaching desired altitude, determine a lead point
on the altimeter. As a guide, use 10 percent of the vertical velocity. When the lead
point is reached, smoothly adjust the power to an approximate setting required for
level flight and simultaneously adjust the pitch attitude, if required to maintain the
desired airspeed.
4.3.4.4. Rate Climbs and Descents. Rate climbs and descents are accomplished by
maintaining both a desired vertical velocity and airspeed. They are proficiency
maneuvers designed to practice the techniques used during instrument approaches.
Pitch attitude control is used to establish and maintain the desired airspeed. Power
control is used to maintain the desired vertical velocity. Proper control techniques
require coordinated pitch and power changes or adjustments.
4.3.4.5. Normal Cruise Climb. To enter a climb from normal cruise, increase power
to the setting that will produce the desired rate of climb (Figure 4.8). As power is
increased, a correction for trim is made with pedals. If cruise and climb airspeeds are
the same, there will be no apparent change of attitude, as read from the attitude
indicator. If the amount of power applied does not produce the desired rate, make
minor adjustments. During climb, the heading, attitude, and airspeed are maintained
with cyclic control. Rate of climb is controlled with power and trim is maintained
with pedals. Once established in a constant rate maneuver, deviations in desired
VVI/airspeed must be properly interpreted. For example, VVI excursions can result
because of incorrect power or inadvertent changes in pitch attitude (airspeed).
Corrections are made on the control instruments with reference to the performance
instruments.