Question

By which of the methods the flight can be descended?

(a) nose down pitch

(b) nose uppitch

(c) nose down and elevator

(d) elevator and nose up

This question was addressed to me in semester exam.

This interesting question is from Descent Performance in Aircraft Operations topic in chapter Climb and Descent Performance of Aircraft Performance

Answer 1

Right answer is (b) nose uppitch

To explain: The climb gradient is decreased by decrease in nose down pitch. This can be alone done by the elevator control. This is the situation of the airspeed less than minimum drag speed. If the aircraft is flying with airspeed greater than minimum drag speed then the flight path gradient of descent can be increased by increasing airspeed.