Descents & Constant Airspeed Descents:

...	ACS - VIII. BASIC INSTRUMENT MANEUVERS   - TASK C - Constant Airspeed Descents
...	•	Transition to the descent pitch attitude and power setting on an assigned heading using proper instrument cross-check and interpretation, and coordinated flight control application.
...	•	Demonstrate descents at a constant airspeed to specific altitudes in straight flight and turns.
...	•	Level off at the assigned altitude and maintain altitude ±200 feet
...	•	heading ±20°
...	•	airspeed ±10 knots

...	Descents
...		Descents are very much the opposite of the climb procedure if the airplane is properly trimmed for hands-off straight-and-level flight. In this configuration, the airplane requires a certain amount of thrust to maintain altitude. The pitch attitude is controlling the airspeed. The engine power, therefore, (translated into thrust by the propeller) is maintaining the selected altitude. Following a power reduction, however slight, there is an almost imperceptible decrease in airspeed. However, even a slight change in speed results in less down load on the tail, whereupon the designed nose heaviness of the airplane causes it to pitch down just enough to maintain the airspeed for which it was trimmed. The airplane then descends at a rate directly proportionate to the amount of thrust that has been removed. Power reductions should be made in increments of 100 rpm or 1 inch of manifold pressure and the resulting rate of descent should never exceed 500 fpm. The wings should be held level on the attitude indicator, and the pitch attitude should not exceed one bar width below level.