When flying at different regimes of flight, there should be certain flight controls that control certain aspects of flying. For example, during an approach to landing, no matter which aircraft you are flying, pitch should always control airspeed and power should always control the approach angle. With this in mind, the approach becomes quite easy to fly. If you are slow, then pitch down; if fast, then pitch up. The corresponding pitching up and pitching down will cause the approach angle to change, but the approach angle can then be properly controlled by power. How much power required is a function of the approach speed selected, the headwind or tailwind component, and the desired approach angle. Headwinds will require a little more power, and so will shallow approach angles. Yet, once the approach is stabilized, controlling airspeed with pitch and approach angle with power will work every time, and create a positive habit transfer to other types of aircraft.
Consider helicopters. If power controls the approach angle in airplanes, then the collective, which is directly related to power in a helicopter, controls the approach angle. Consider gliders. Although there is no “power” in a glider, there is excess energy. The excess energy is controlled by use of the spoilers. So, when flying a glider, pitch controls airspeed and the use of the spoilers controls the approach angle. Add spoilers (effectively killing lift, and therefore reducing “power”) and the approach angle increases. Reduce spoilers and the approach angle decreases.
There are a few regimes of flight where pitch is used to control altitude, but those times are only when one aspect of the flight regime is being controlled. For instance, when in level flight, pitch can be used to control altitude, but that is assuming a constant power setting is applied. Also, during a change in airspeed, for example, if reducing airspeed from high speed cruise to low speed cruise, then the power would be reduced to a lower setting and then pitch would control airspeed. But, in just about every other phase of flight, and especially when the airplane is climbing or descending, power controls altitude/approach angle and pitch controls airspeed.
Try compartmentalizing the two in your mind on the next flight and see if this does not improve your approaches to landing.
