Attitude
The flight attitude is the position in three-dimensional space that an aircraft is currently occupying. It is of particular importance for flight control , since a stable flight attitude for normal flight is only possible within certain limits due to the aerodynamics .
The attitude is described by the three axes around which the aircraft can turn. The bank angle in turns does not normally exceed 30 ° in order to avoid unnecessary air resistance ; the angle of attack is usually in the range of −5 ° and + 10 °. The slip angle should normally be zero, unless it is a side glide (slip).
Balance of forces
In aerodynamically clean straight flight, the weight acts exactly in the vertical direction and the air flows around the wings symmetrically. In turn, however, the vertical axis should point to the so-called dummy perpendicular , the resultant of weight and centrifugal force:
In small types of aircraft, the pilot primarily assesses the flight situation visually ( visual navigation ), but checks it periodically using the navigation instruments (horizon, turn indicator, in gliding also flow threads). If the angle is correct when turning, the ball of the turning pointer remains exactly in the middle (dummy plumb bob).
In instrument flight (IFR), the artificial horizon shows the flight position even without an outside view, so that the pilot - but also the autopilot - can safely control the aircraft with this information. It is not always possible for the pilot to assess the attitude without instruments. Poor visibility or darkness (cloud and night flight ) can prevent the view of reference points on the ground (e.g. horizon ). The forces acting on the pilot through flight maneuvers also do not allow any conclusions to be drawn about the flight position of the aircraft.
Aerobatics
If the aircraft gets into an uncontrolled flight position, it can spin and must be intercepted again by the pilot. In aerobatics , extreme flight attitudes are deliberately demonstrated. Since many aerobatic figures can either be flown on the back or in an upright position, the term "Canopy Up" or "Canopy Down" is often placed in front of the name of the actual figure. For example, the Humpty Bump can be flown either "Canopy Up" or "Canopy Down".
Canopy Up / Wheel Down
As Canopy Up aerobatic maneuvers are referred to, in which the hood ( engl Canopy. ) At the top. The term canopy up can also be replaced by wheel down , since the landing gear of an aircraft is naturally “down” when the hood is “up”. "Canopy Up" means that the figure is flown upright.
Canopy Down / Wheel Up
Canopy Down referred aerobatic maneuvers (with the hood engl. Canopy be flown) to "down". Instead of Canopy Down , you can also say Wheel Up , since the landing gear of an aircraft is "up" when the canopy is "down". "Canopy Down" means that the figure is completed on the back.