During the approach turn, how is airspeed controlled?

During the approach turn, controlling airspeed through nose attitude is crucial for maintaining an appropriate flight configuration. The nose attitude directly impacts the aircraft's angle of attack (AoA), which is a critical factor in stall control and maintaining a safe speed throughout the maneuver.

When the nose is raised, it generally increases lift and can reduce airspeed as the aircraft may climb, thus increasing the angle of attack. Conversely, lowering the nose typically decreases lift and increases airspeed. Pilots adjust the nose attitude during the turn to manage the relationship between lift, drag, and airspeed effectively, ensuring a stable descent and preventing stalls.

Understanding the role of nose attitude helps pilots to maintain control during turns, particularly when transitioning from level flight to a descent or when maneuvering near stall speeds. While power adjustments can also influence airspeed, the primary method for achieving the desired airspeed in turns is through managing the nose attitude, making it the most critical factor in this context.