Definition
An attitude instrument flying technique in which pitch attitude is controlled with the elevator (the control) and airspeed is controlled with the throttle (the power). The pilot selects a pitch attitude on the attitude indicator to achieve the desired performance, then adjusts power to produce the required airspeed.
Plain English
A way of flying on instruments where you use the control yoke to set the airplane's nose where you want it, and use the throttle to get the airspeed you want. Pitch and power are handled as two separate jobs that work together.
Context Anchor
Used in instrument attitude flying, especially when establishing level flight, climbs, descents, and turns by reference to the flight display instead of outside visual references.
Why Pilots Care
Provides a direct, logical separation between attitude control and power management that reduces workload and improves precision when transitioning to instrument references.
Intuition Check
Do not read control/power as a vague phrase meaning “fly the airplane and use the engine.” Here, control means setting attitude with the flight display, and power means setting a known engine power value to produce a specific flight result.
Example Sentence 1
Using the control/power method, the pilot set a slight nose-up attitude on the attitude indicator and then reduced throttle to hold 90 knots in the climb.
Example Sentence 2
During a climb entry, the control/power method called for setting the required pitch on the attitude indicator first, then adding power to maintain the target airspeed.