Question for other Instrument guys

Texastaildragger

Texastaildragger

Pre-takeoff checklist
Joined
Apr 7, 2013
Messages
345
Location
Vernon Tx
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Display name:
Rick
When your flying in IMC hands on, do you have a tendency to go one way or the other?
I always drift to the left. Just curious.
 
Don't favor either side,can be very exhausting trying to keep it straight.
 
I noticed that I want to correct to the left if I listen to my body and don't watch the AI, especially in a climb.
 
Texastaildragger said:
When your flying in IMC hands on, do you have a tendency to go one way or the other?
I always drift to the left. Just curious.
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Next time you're in your car, drive along hands off. It might gently pull to the right.
 
Texastaildragger said:
When your flying in IMC hands on, do you have a tendency to go one way or the other?
I always drift to the left. Just curious.
Click to expand...

Only if I don't keep my scan up.

As far as always drifitng to the left: you may be squeezing the yoke too tightly. Use two fingers and see if that helps.
 
i dont really drift to either side actually. i was flying with an instrument instructor actually and we did a x country. he had not been in actual conditins for a while and he told me he had only about 6.5 hours in actual which is very sad. he has about 950 hours. i have 20 hrs actual with about 200 TT. he always drifted to the right. it was weird, i would watch him correct back to the left, then gradually he would move the yoke to the right.
 
jordane93 said:
i dont really drift to either side actually. i was flying with an instrument instructor actually and we did a x country. he had not been in actual conditins for a while and he told me he had only about 6.5 hours in actual which is very sad. he has about 950 hours. i have 20 hrs actual with about 200 TT. he always drifted to the right. it was weird, i would watch him correct back to the left, then gradually he would move the yoke to the right.
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Wonderful teaching how but can't do himself
 
I noticed that I tend to drift to the right; not sure why. The plane flies straight otherwise. I think a lot has to do with your posture in the pilot's seat.

Try taking your wallet out of your pocket!
 
marcoseddi said:
Wonderful teaching how but can't do himself
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yea for sure. im not trying to be mean but he was a really lousy and mediocre instrument pilot that day. ill give him the benefit of the doubt that he was really rusty
 
Sometimes I drift one way, sometimes the other, usually when distracted. Don't rest either foot on the pedals, it makes a difference. Pay attention and don't let your thoughts drift away or the plane will too.

When I go too long without actual, I tense up and squeeze the yoke pretty hard. After 10-15 minutes solid or in-and-out I can relax and control is much easier.
 
I know this : Every time I was inattentive the airplane went somewhere unintended. ;)
 
If my head goes down, or I need to twist knobs I take my hands off the controls. It generally works in somewhat smooth air.
 
Whichever wing is heavier, that's the way I drift. I don't really hold the yoke in IMC, I just put enough pressure upwards or downwards on the left side of it to keep heading. Then shut off a light side fuel tank until it balances back out. I have no pilot induced drifting tendency.
 
jonnyjetprop said:
I used to joke with my students. What is an unusual attitude for an instrument pilot? Answer: Straight and level
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The only time I'm on the localizer is when I'm crossing it...
 
If the airplane consistently heads to the left or right you might consider checking the aircraft rigging. One flap set 1d lower than the other could be causing the problem.
 
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