Any flight, regardless of the aircraft used or route flown,  consists of basic maneuvers. In visual flight, aircraft attitude  is controlled by using certain reference points on the  aircraft with relation to the natural horizon. In instrument  flight, the aircraft attitude is controlled by reference to  the flight instruments. Proper interpretation of the flight  instruments provides essentially the same information that  outside references do in visual flight. Once the role of each  instrument in establishing and maintaining a desired aircraft  attitude is learned, a pilot is better equipped to control the  aircraft in emergency situations involving failure of one or  more key instruments.  The two basic methods used for learning attitude instrument  flying are “control and performance” and “primary and  supporting.” Both methods utilize the same instruments and  responses for attitude control. They differ in their reliance on  the attitude indicator and interpretation of other instruments.  Aircraft performance is achieved by controlling the aircraft  attitude and power. Aircraft attitude is the relationship  of both the aircraft’s pitch and roll axes in relation to the  Earth’s horizon. An aircraft is flown in instrument flight by  controlling the attitude and power, as necessary, to produce  both controlled and stabilized flight without reference to a  visible horizon. This overall process is known as the control  and performance method of attitude instrument flying.  Starting with basic instrument maneuvers, this process can  be applied through the use of control, performance, and  navigation instruments resulting in a smooth flight from  takeoff to landing.  The control instruments display immediate attitude and power  indications and are calibrated to permit those respective  adjustments in precise increments. In this discussion, the  term “power” is used in place of the more technically correct  term “thrust or drag relationship.” Control is determined  by reference to the attitude and power indicators. Power  indicators vary with aircraft and may include manifold  pressure, tachometers, fuel flow, etc.  [Figure 6-1] The performance instruments indicate the aircraft’s actual  performance. Performance is determined by reference to  the altimeter, airspeed, or vertical speed indicator (VSI).  [Figure 6-2] The navigation instruments indicate the position of the aircraft  in relation to a selected navigation facility or fix. This group  of instruments includes various types of course indicators,  range indicators, glideslope indicators, and bearing pointers.  [Figure 6-3] Newer aircraft with more technologically  advanced instrumentation provide blended information,  giving the pilot more accurate positional information. Learning Methods Attitude Instrument Flying Using the Control and  Performance Method  Procedural Steps in Using Control and  Performance Navigation Instruments  Performance Instruments  Control Instruments  1.  Establish an attitude and power setting on the  control instruments that results in the desired  performance. Known or computed attitude changes  and approximated power settings helps to reduce the  pilot’s workload. 2.  Trim (fine tune the control forces) until control  pressures are neutralized. Trimming for hands-off  flight is essential for smooth, precise aircraft control.  3 0 W 2 4 Turning Figure 6-1.  Control instruments. 6-2