How to fly the maneuver

A constant-airspeed climb by reference to instruments is the basic instrument climb — the airplane is pitched and powered to climb at a target airspeed (typically V_Y) while holding heading. The maneuver applies the scan-pattern doctrine from VIII.A in a changing-altitude context. The new pedagogical element is the shift in primary instrument for pitch — in straight-and-level the altimeter was primary; in a constant-airspeed climb, the ASI becomes primary.

Pitch for airspeed; power for path — same as the visual landing doctrine (IV.B PRI). On the instrument climb, the target airspeed is held by pitch attitude; the climb rate is whatever the airplane gives you at climb power.

Setup

1. Begin from a stable straight-and-level flight (VIII.A baseline).
2. Note the target altitude and the climb direction of change (typically climbing).
3. Verify the target climb speed (V_Y for most maneuvers, or a published value).

Establish the climb

1. Add climb power (full throttle, or the published climb power setting).
2. Pitch up to the climb attitude — initially a known pitch reference on the AI (typically 5–10° nose-up for a trainer).
3. Trim as the airplane accelerates into the climb attitude.
4. Verify on the ASI — the airspeed should stabilize at the target. If high, pitch up more. If low, pitch down slightly.

Scan during the climb

The scan shifts from the straight-and-level pattern. In a constant-airspeed climb:

For…	Primary	Supporting
Pitch	ASI	AI, VSI, altimeter
Bank	HI	AI, turn coordinator
Power	MP / RPM	ASI, altimeter (climb rate)

The cycle: AI → ASI → AI → HI → AI → MP/RPM → AI. The ASI is the most-checked primary because pitch is being held against airspeed; an out-of-target airspeed signals a pitch error before the altitude changes meaningfully.

Control discipline:

• Airspeed high → pitch up slightly. Re-trim. Verify on ASI.
• Airspeed low → pitch down slightly. Re-trim. Verify on ASI.
• Heading drift → small bank on AI to correct, return to wings level when on heading.

Hold the climb

In a stable, trimmed climb:

• ASI reads the target ±5 KIAS (well within the ±10 standard).
• HI holds heading ±10°.
• Altimeter shows climbing.
• VSI shows the climb rate (typically 500–800 fpm in a trainer at light weight).
• The airplane is hands-off if trimmed properly.

Level off

The level-off is the critical transition. Anticipate by leading the target altitude by 10% of the climb rate:

• At 500 fpm climb → lead by 50 ft (begin level-off at target − 50 ft).
• At 700 fpm climb → lead by 70 ft.
• At 1,000 fpm climb → lead by 100 ft.

Level-off sequence:

1. Pitch forward to level cruise attitude (visual on AI).
2. Reduce power smoothly to cruise setting as airspeed builds.
3. Trim for the new straight-and-level condition.
4. Cross-check altitude at target ±100 ft (the ACS tolerance, VIII.B.S2).

The standard requires the level-off to occur within ±100 ft of the target altitude. A late level-off (continuing through the target) busts the standard; an early level-off (settling 100+ ft short) is also a bust.

Common pitfall: pitch-then-power instead of simultaneous. Pitching forward without reducing power lets the airplane accelerate past cruise airspeed before settling. The technique: pitch and power together at the level-off, then trim. The same chord-of-inputs the go-around level-off (H) uses — applied in the opposite direction.