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AviationConstant airspeed descents by instruments
Solely by reference to the instruments, you set the descent attitude and power on an assigned heading, descend at a constant speed straight and in turns, and level off at the assigned altitude. It is Task C of Area VIII, Basic Instrument Maneuvers, in the FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards, the checkride every private pilot flies.
Free to startThe steps
- Set the descent pitch attitude and power on an assigned heading with a proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated control.
- Descend at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes, straight and in turns.
- Level off at the assigned altitude and hold altitude within 200 feet, heading within 20 degrees and airspeed within 10 knots.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Any action, or lack of action, that makes the examiner step in to keep the flight safe is unsatisfactory.
- Consistently exceeding the tolerances of the task, or not correcting promptly when you exceed them, is unsatisfactory.
To pass
- A constant-speed descent, a level-off at the assigned altitude, then altitude within 200 feet, heading within 20 degrees and airspeed within 10 knots.
- Know the flight instruments: their limits and errors, how they show the attitude, how they work and how to cross-check them, and the risks of losing control, when to ask for help or declare an emergency, collision, distractions, fixation and omission, instrument interpretation, flying by instruments only and trimming.
- Missing the standard on this task fails the task and its area of operation.
Official source
Federal · FAA Private Pilot ACS
Private Pilot for Airplane Category Airman Certification Standards (FAA-S-ACS-6C)
The FAA publishes the Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards free: every task of the checkride with its knowledge, risks and tolerances.
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