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Level-offs: llapt

A lot of students level off below their target airspeed and set power, probably because someone taught them to "pitch, power, trim," which they then did very rapidly. As the aircraft accelerates, the speed-trim couple on the tail results in a slight climb. Instead of doing that, I recommend breaking it into 5 discrete steps:
Lead the level-off by climb rate / 10.
Level at your target altitude.
Accelerate to your target speed.
Power back as you approach target speed to the target power setting to hold that speed.
Trim to hold altitude and speed.

Lean promptly if you're going to be there for any amount of time.

Explicitly following all 5 steps should help get those level-offs dialed in better.

Thanks for reading. These articles are my perspectives and are not meant to represent any employers' opinions. Always operate your aircraft per applicable SOPs, Stan Mans, and AFMs. Please help me out by sharing your feedback on the site.
Copyright 2020-2026

  • Home
    • Stage Checks and Checkrides >
      • General Checkride Tips
      • Privileges and Limitations
      • Airworthiness
    • Memory aids >
      • Approach Requests: PAST
      • Box Setup G1000: BARF
      • Level Offs: LLAPT
      • Maneuver Check: CREACS
      • Stable on Final? CAPES
      • Wing-Low Crosswinds
      • Wings Level, Tread on Target
    • The 5 Fundamentals of Weather
    • We Need to Fix NOTAMs
    • Math Problems for Students
  • Aero
    • Demystifying the basic lift equation
    • Density for Dummies
    • Speeds and Weight
    • Mach and TAS
    • Vmca Factors
    • OEI: The Gravity Tax
    • Hot and High Slowdown Adjustments
  • IFR
    • Vertical speeds on non-standard gradients
    • Turning inbound from an Arc
    • Turning onto an Arc
    • Outbound Holding time Adjustments
    • 60:1 and Derivations
    • 172 Attitude Flying
    • How to Ace GA Chart Briefings
    • GA Circling Approaches
    • IFR Briefings in Jets
    • OEI Approaches
    • Knob Setting Tricks
    • Deviations and Shortcuts
    • G1000 FPL Catalog
  • Stick & Rudder
    • The Energy Box
    • Mastering Slow Flight
    • Improving Your Landings
    • Pattern Extensions
    • VMC Demo
    • OEI Flow in the Seminole
  • Jets
    • Landing the E175
    • E175 Flare Geometry
    • E175 Flare Height Adjustment
    • Using FPR to Catch Mountain Wave
    • Finesse the E175 GS Capture
    • Runway Changes in the E175
    • Taxi Shorthand
    • Box Setup in Canada
    • E175 Optimal Climb Speeds
  • Systems
    • Constant-Speed Props
    • C172 Engine Leaning
  • Airport Reports
    • KSLC LDA35
    • Sea-Tac Airport
    • SFO Airport
  • Blog
  • Contact