In the case of being off airspeed or altitude, what must you first do?

When faced with being off airspeed or altitude, the most critical initial step is to stop the loss or gain by leveling the aircraft's attitude. This action stabilizes the flight path, allowing the pilot to assess the situation without the additional variables of changing altitude or airspeed. By leveling the aircraft's attitude, the pilot can prevent further deviations and focus on regaining control.

Once the aircraft is stabilized, the pilot can then make informed adjustments to power, heading, or configuration as necessary. Leveling the attitude provides a baseline from which to effectively manage the aircraft's performance and safety, ensuring that any subsequent actions are deliberate and appropriate. This fundamental principle emphasizes the importance of maintaining control of the aircraft's aerodynamic state before making any additional corrections or adjustments.