The first fundamental skill of instrument flight, cross‑check, is also known as which practice?

• A. Cross-check
• B. Scan
• C. Situational awareness
• D. Attitude/heading tracking

Answer: (B)

Instrument cross-check is performed by scanning the cockpit instruments. Scanning means moving your eyes in a deliberate, repeatable pattern to observe each gauge and compare its indication with the others and with what you know about the aircraft’s flight path. This systematic observation prevents fixating on a single instrument and helps you detect discrepancies or deviations early, which is crucial when outside references are limited. Situational awareness is the broader understanding of your position and intent, not the specific technique of examining the instruments. Attitude and heading tracking is a part of what you monitor during a scan, but the common term for the practical method of performing cross-check is scanning.