Nose Low Attitude

Template:Glossary Nose Low Attitude refers to an aircraft's longitudinal axis pointing downward, with the nose lower than the tail. This condition often indicates a descent or dive.

Definition

A nose-low attitude means the aircraft’s nose is pointed downwards relative to the horizon, indicating a descent or dive.

Recovery

In a nose-low unusual attitude, the primary concern is to avoid over-G-ing the aircraft and to avoid over-speeding.

Recovery Steps

• Reduce Power: To avoid over-speeding, reduce power to idle.
• Level the Wings: Correct the bank angle with coordinated aileron and rudder pressure.
• Raise the Nose: Apply smooth back pressure on the elevator to raise the nose to level flight attitude.

Why it's important

Recognizing and recovering from unusual attitudes, including nose-low, is crucial for pilot safety.

Spiral Dive

The most dangerous of nose-low attitudes is the spiral dive, which can be hard to identify.

Other Considerations

• Airspeed: In a nose-low attitude, airspeed will likely be increasing, so reducing power is important.
• Altitude: Altitude cannot be maintained and must be temporarily accorded secondary importance.