Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What is the recommended standard for maintaining a specific heading during basic flight maneuvers?

1. Maintain desired heading +/- 5 degrees

2. Maintain desired heading +/- 10 degrees

3. Maintain desired heading +/- 15 degrees

4. Maintain desired heading +/- 20 degrees

The correct answer is: Maintain desired heading +/- 10 degrees

Maintaining a specific heading during basic flight maneuvers is essential for effective navigation and control of the aircraft. The recommendation to maintain a desired heading within a tolerance of ±10 degrees strikes a balance between precision and practical flight conditions. This standard allows pilots to demonstrate adequate control of the aircraft while not being overly restrictive. In various flying situations, it is normal for minor heading deviations to occur due to wind effects, pilot inputs, and atmospheric conditions. Therefore, a tolerance of ±10 degrees provides a reasonable expectation for maintaining directional control, ensuring that pilots are practicing good heading discipline without the frustration of needing to correct for every minor deviation. By adhering to this standard, a pilot can effectively execute maneuvers while still focusing on other critical facets of flight, such as altitude management, airspeed, and communications. Maintaining a narrower tolerance, such as ±5 degrees, could introduce unnecessary stress and might not allow for the natural variations experienced during flight. Similarly, a wider tolerance could lead to a lack of precision and could negatively impact navigation and situational awareness. Thus, the ±10 degrees standard is an appropriate guideline for basic flight maneuvers, promoting safety and effective training outcomes.