Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

Which element of the approach requires adjusting power and pitch to control airspeed?

1. Final approach

2. Normal descent

3. Traffic pattern

4. Final flaps extension

The correct answer is: Final approach

The final approach is the correct element in the sequence of landing an aircraft where adjusting power and pitch to control airspeed is critical. During this phase, the aircraft is established on the final descent path toward the runway, and maintaining the appropriate airspeed is essential for safe landing. Pilots need to modulate engine power and adjust the aircraft's pitch attitude to ensure that they remain within the desired speed parameters prescribed for the final approach. Controlling airspeed during final approach is crucial because too fast can lead to a hard landing or reduced control authority, while too slow can result in a stall. Therefore, adjustments to both power settings and pitch are carefully made to stabilize the aircraft's descent and facilitate a smooth and controlled landing. The other elements mentioned do encompass aspects of speed control, but they do not specifically focus on the same critical balance of pitch and power that the final approach demands, especially as the aircraft gets closer to the runway. Normal descent typically involves a broader control of descent rate and airspeed but may not require the fine-tuning necessary during the final approach. The traffic pattern involves multiple turns and altitude adjustments but is more concerned with spacing than precise airspeed control for landing. Finally, final flap extension, while important in preparing for landing, does