Instrument Pilot Course of Instruction

Supplement: Veritcal S

Steve Sconfienza, Ph.D.

Airline Transport Pilot

Flight Instructor: Airplane Single and Multiengine; Instrument Airplane

cell: 518.366.3957

e-mail: docsteve@localnet.com

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This maneuver is a series of climbs and descents at definite indicated rates of climb, descent, and turn. In its simplest form, it is literally a vertical letter S, flown on a constant heading with a sequence of climbs and descents forming the S.

FAA Training Versions: Vertical S, S-1, and S-2

Manuver Overview

Performing the Vertical S

  1. From an exact altitude and climbing or descending (i.e., low-cruise) airspeed, adjust power and pitch attitude to enter a climb or descent.
  2. As the power is adjusted in the entry, the airspeed indicator becomes primary for pitch (i.e., maintaining a constant airspeed).
  3. As the vertical speed approaches 500 feet per minute, the vertical-speed indicator becomes primary for pitch (and remains so until the reversal of the vertical direction is started).
  4. As the vertical speed reaches 500 feet per minute, the airspeed indicator again becomes the primary instrument for power.
  5. As the reversal of the vertical direction is started, the airspeed indicator becomes primary for pitch and remains so until the vertical speed approaches the desired rate of 500 feet per minute.

Variants

  1. S-1: Same as S except
    1. Maintain a standard rate turn, reversing the direction of turn with each return to entry altitude (the maneuver is a 360 degree turn).
  2. S-2: Same as S1 except
    1. Reversed the direction of the turn with each reversal of vertical direction (the maneuver becomes an S in two axes).

USAF Training Versions Vertical S-A, S-B, S-C, and S-D

Manuver Overview