Stick and Rudder

> Well, this is all very well for interesting reflection, but I think
> I'll just stick to my "model" that holds elevator is the primary
> control for airspeed and power the primary control for altitude.
> This "model" serves me, so far, as a reliable basis for control usage.

OK, I'll ask you the same question I posted here last week. Suppose you're in
level cruise at 3500 feet. After looking down at your sectional chart, you
notice you're now at 3480. What do you do to get back to 3500? If you use
the stick, why have you ignored your "power controls altitude" rule? Since
the great majority of flight time is usually spent in cruise, shouldn't the
"primary" control should be used? If you're a CFI, how would you explain this
to your student?

Barry

How do you control airspeed in a glider?

While I would agree that pitch usually controls airspeed (and more
importantly AOA) and power usually controls climb/decent rate, I think it is
a convenient simplification for the concept that both pitch and throttle
control energy which can then be converted to produce airspeed or altitude.
Pitch regulates energy from gravity and throttle regulates energy from fuel.

Blue skies to all.