Which control should be adjusted first when leveling off from a descent?

• A. Power
• B. Pitch
• C. Trim
• D. Heading

Answer: (A)

When transitioning from a descent to level flight, the first priority is to arrest the downward motion and restore airspeed. You do this by increasing power. Adding power raises thrust, reduces the rate of descent, and helps you maintain or regain the appropriate airspeed, making it safer to bring the nose up to a level attitude. Once the descent rate is stopped, you then adjust pitch to hold the aircraft at the new altitude and near the desired airspeed, and finally trim to relieve control pressures. Heading isn’t part of the immediate leveling-off action, and trim and pitch come into play after you’ve stabilized the altitude and airspeed.