Which technique is recommended to aid in AFCS off flight?

• A. React positively and smoothly to divergent movements
• B. Enter all maneuvers slowly
• C. Avoid overcontrolling the ACFT
• D. Use maximal input initially

Answer: (C)

When AFCS is off, you lose the automatic stabilization that helps dampen the airplane’s response. The key practice is to avoid overcontrolling the aircraft. Small, precise, coordinated inputs plus proper trimming let the airframe respond smoothly and settle toward the desired attitude and flight path without chasing the airplane with big, abrupt corrections. This reduces the chance of overshoot or pilot-induced oscillations and keeps control more predictable as you work through the maneuver.

In practice, you still move the controls to correct errors, but you do so with a light touch and deliberate, gradual inputs, allowing the aircraft’s natural damping to help. Large or rapid inputs—especially at the start of a maneuver—toster instability and are more likely to overshoot.