uh... every other item in that "scan" was the external visual reference:
I know, it was the
every other item that worried me.
Whats so wrong with just the horizon?
If you maintain your position on the horizon, and have set approximately the correct power, nothing is going to happen to your speed.
Why would you want to look at the DI? I cant think of a single practical reason why you would want to roll out of a steep turn on a heading. If you start doing aeros you will learn to roll out on a visual reference feature to maintain your position in the box.
As I said before, a flick of the eyes down to altimeter is helpful when you are learning, and IMHO that is all the is required otherewise you will over use the instruments.
I am not suggesting you will fly it perfectly - that is why the instructor is there. However ultimately your technique will be far better and you will be good enough to pass the test.
I know, I know there has been more emphasis placed on instrument training and we all become accustomed to using the instruments more. However flying some circuits with the instruments covered including the ASI and getting use to flying steep turns by reference to the real horizon are all good excercises for giving you a better "feel" of the aircraft and a better awareness that the aircraft is getting too slow or too fast.