Flying on the step?

A 1956 B-36J flight manual that I have recommends slightly
overshooting the desired cruise altitude:

"As the planned level-off altitude is attained, the aircraft may be
climbed 200 to 500 feet above cruising altitude prior to reducing
power unless instrument flight rules dictate leveling off at the exact
altitude. This small amount of altitude will allow a cushion for the
pilot to trim the aircraft while the engineer is stabilizing
reciprocating power. Regardless of level-off technique, the engineer
has sufficient power available from the reciprocating engines, at less
cost in fuel consumption to complete this maneuver."

The overshoot on level-off could be airspeed instead of altitude:

"Many engineers have found it desirable to hold the climb power after
leveling off so that the airplane accelerates rapidly to a figure well
above the final anticipated value. Some cooling benefits are derived
during this period with increasing air speeds. Then power is reduced
on all engines to a point which is slightly above the final amount so
that while the manual leaning procedure is followed, the necessary
power reductions on individual engines do not result in allowing the
airplane to decelerate below the recommended air speed."

But there's no indication in the B-36 flight manual that approaching
cruise "from above" produced a higher stabilized speed. It simply made
the transition from climb to cruise easier.

--

Paul Hirose
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