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32 U.S CIVIL AERONAUTICS AUTHORITY Horizontal adjustment is by use of the rudder which moves the ship around its vertical axis. Level flight, at first, is a matter of conscious mechanical adjustment and fixing the relationship of the position of some portion of the ship, used as a sight or gauge, with reference to the horizon. As experience is gained, these mechanical aids give away more or less to a "sense" of being level, but these same mechanical aids are still used as checks throughout the pilot's career. With the exception of the special instruments used in instrument flying, they are the only known method of accurately and instantly judging the attitude of the ship. This point is well proven by the fact that the sense of attitude and position deserts the pilot almost immediately when he cannot see the horizon or some reference point in the sky or on the ground. Level flight longitudinally is usually accomplished by using some portion of the nose as a gauge point, usually the number one cylinder, the gas-tank cap, or a spot in the cowl, and keeping this point in a fixed position vertically relative to the horizon. It must be remembered that no two pilots see this relationship exactly the same. It depends on where the pilot is sitting, how tall he is, and how he is sitting. It is therefore important that during the setting of this relationship, the pilot sit in his normal manner, otherwise it will not be the same when the normal position is resumed. Misunderstanding of this point has caused much difficulty with many students. In learning to control the aircraft for level flight longitudinally, it is important that the student maintain a light grip on the stick and that the necessary pressures be exerted lightly and just enough to bring about the desired result. He should attempt to connect the pressures used with the movement of the nose, attempt to gain an idea of the relationship of the attitude of the ship with the pressure causing it. Level flight along the lateral axis is accomplished by virtually checking the relationship of the outer tips of the left and right upper wings with the horizon. These should be equi-distant above the horizon and any necessary adjustments should be made with the ailerons with the same relationship of pressure and attitude being noted. This sighting of the wing tips has several advantages for the student other than being the only positive and infallible check. It helps divert the student's attention from the nose, prevents the fixed stare and automatically expands his area of vision by increasing the angle necessary for his vision to encompass. It is important to note that the relaxed weight of the right arm pulling against the stick will be sufficient to cause the ailerons to become slightly effective and result in "dragging a wing." To offset this effect, a compensating effort must be exerted to the left. This must always be done although after some practice it becomes a subconscious correction. The scope of the student's vision is also very important for if it is obscured he will tend to look out of one side continuously (usually the left) and consequently lean that way. This not only gives him a
