I'm[...] having an awful time with the
questions dealing with primary/secondary instruments for
pitch/bank/power during various phases of flight. The distinctions
appear to be senseless hair splitting...

In saying X is primary for Y, try thinking just WHY you are controlling Y in
that phase of flight. For example, in level flight, why are you controlling
pitch? The object of level flight is to maintain a constant altitude, so
although pitch deviations will turn into altitude and airspeed deviations, it
is constant altitude you are attempting to maintain. So, the altimiter would
be "primary" for pitch.

In a climb, you are likely to want a constant airspeed and rate of climb. The
altitude will be changing (it better be!), and the VSI lags, so it's hard to
use either as a primary instrument. Airpseed responds right away to pitch
deviations, so it's primary. Hold airspeed steady (once you know what it
should be) and your climb will be fine.

Entering a climb, what would you do? You could use the airspeed as a primary
pitch instrument, but you are not (yet) trying to hold a steady airspeed. The
attitude indicator is primary, because it gives a direct and rapid readout of
the pitch attitude you want. The desired result of your control input when
entering a climb is a certain pitch attitude. The attitude indicator gives you
that directly. Your airspeed bleeds off and your altitude begins to
increase...

Once you are climbing, the desired result is a constant airspeed (while you
climb, supported by the altimiter).

Leveling off is like entering a climb, in reverse. Set the desired (level)
pitch attitude, and when things settle in...

(and you are no longer climbing or accelerating) hold a constant altitude.

Does this help? You still need the supporting instruments (for example, in a
climb, check the altimeter to ensure that you are in fact climbing!) but the
instrument that gives you the most direct reading of the most immediate desired
result of a control input is what you use as a primary instrument.

Try that thinking on the other areas of flight control and see if it doesn't
help you understand.

Jose

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