Definition
Instrument flight maneuvers in which the aircraft changes altitude while maintaining a constant heading. The pilot uses pitch attitude and power to control rate of climb or descent and uses bank attitude (held at zero) and rudder coordination to keep the aircraft tracking straight along a single heading.
Plain English
Going up or coming down while flying in a straight line. The wings stay level and the nose stays pointed in the same direction, while pitch and power are adjusted to climb or descend at the rate you want.
Context Anchor
Seen in basic instrument flying when practicing altitude changes while holding a heading, or when air traffic control assigns a new altitude without a turn.
Why Pilots Care
These maneuvers develop precise heading and altitude control required for safe instrument flight in IMC.
Intuition Check
Straight does not mean level or flat here. It means no intentional turn: the airplane is climbing or descending while the pilot keeps it pointed on the selected heading.
Example Sentence 1
After takeoff, the pilot established a straight climb to 5,000 feet, holding the assigned heading until ATC issued a turn.
Example Sentence 2
During the straight descent exercise the student reduced power and lowered pitch to maintain a constant rate while tracking the assigned heading.