Michael you said:
I would dispute one thing BB said. Unusual attitude recovery for VFR pilots is supposed to be done by reference to visual references outside the cockpit (horizon). There are still lots of planes which do not have attitude instrumentation. Those of us who are instrument rated usually do our checkrides and flight reviews mostly under the hood, but straight VFR pilots do not.
You need to read up on the rules pertaining to legally flying an airplane in the United States.
If you can fly you can't get an airplane in an unusual attitude if you can see outside. If for some reason, other than on purpose, you do manage to get into an unusual attitude while VFR, then you can't control the aircraft and shouldn't be flying anyway.
The Private Pilot Practical Test Standards states and I quote:
E. Task: Recovery From Unusual Flight Attitudes
References: AC 61-21, AC 61-27
Objective. To determine that the applicant:
1) Exhibits knowledge of the elements relative to attitude instrument flying during unusual attitudes.
2) Recognizes unusual flight attitudes solely by reference to instruments; recovers promptly to a stabilized level flight attitude using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation and smooth, coordinated control application in the correct sequence.
Concerning Critical (Unusual) Flight Attitudes AC 61-21 states:
When outside visual references are inadequate or lost............
It then goes on to state:
After the instructor has the airplane in an unusual attitude, the student takes the controls and effects a recovery to level flight by reference to the flight instruments.
It is because there are idiots out there, that would allow a student to recover from unusual attitudes without a hood on, that we have the few tragic accidents we do.
If you do know of someone that allowed a student to do such a thing or a check pilot that passed a student under such circumstances, please let me know.
Maybe that was JFK Jrs. problem, though I don't think so.
As for aircraft equipment, per FAR 61-45:
The applicant is required to furnish an appropriate, airworthy, certificated aircraft for the practical test. The aircraft must be equipped for, and its operating limitations must not prohibit, the performance of all tasks required on the test.
In other words, if it doesn't have basic attitude instruments, you can't use it to take the test.
bb
I still can't figure out what you are thinking when you say you can get an unusual attitude in VFR. If you are suggesting recovery from turbulence upset, that is pure pilot ability, not recovery from an unusual attitude. |
