← All explained questions · Supplemental · VIII — Basic Instrument Maneuvers

When transitioning to instrument flight in IMC after losing outside visual reference, the first instrument a VFR-only pilot should fixate on is

Choices

  • the magnetic compass.

    Magnetic compass has too many errors in turning/accelerating to be primary.

  • ✓ the attitude indicator.correct

    establish wings level and a known pitch attitude. The attitude indicator is the master reference for hand-flying in IMC. Establishing wings-level and a known pitch attitude prevents spatial disorientation and the graveyard spiral. Then crosscheck airspeed, altimeter, heading, VSI to confirm. The 178-second rule (median survival time for VFR-into-IMC) underscores how critical this is.

  • the vertical speed indicator.

    VSI is a trend instrument, not a primary attitude reference.

  • the heading indicator.

    Heading is secondary to attitude when first stabilizing the airplane.

Why

establish wings level and a known pitch attitude. The attitude indicator is the master reference for hand-flying in IMC. Establishing wings-level and a known pitch attitude prevents spatial disorientation and the graveyard spiral. Then crosscheck airspeed, altimeter, heading, VSI to confirm. The 178-second rule (median survival time for VFR-into-IMC) underscores how critical this is.

FAA source: PHAK Ch 8, AFH Ch 16; PHAK Chapter 8 — Flight Instruments; AFH Chapter 16 — Emergency Proceduresbrowse the reference library →

Covered in Supplemental · VIII — Basic Instrument Maneuvers — study the lessons free, then practice with grading and mastery tracking.

Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.

When transitioning to instrument flight in IMC after losing outside v… · PPL Free Ground School