Flight Training - September 2013 - 36

TECHNIQUE

STEEP TURNS

Bank and yank

» By Ian J. Twombly
ILLUSTRATION BY CHARLES FLOYD

THEY’RE QUICK, FUN, and universal. Steep turns are one of the
most basic of flight maneuvers. They are the warm-up to many
other maneuvers and directly applicable to normal flight operations. They’re also a common sticking point on the practical test.
Getting them right takes nothing more than a few key steps and
the knowledge of how to adjust in the midst of the turn.

Roll in to the turn with a smooth and fairly quick application of aileron and rudder. As you pass 30 degrees of
bank, begin to pull back on the controls. Neutralize the
ailerons and rudder once you hit 45 degrees. The use
of additional power here is debated. The practical test
standard doesn’t require it, and doing so introduces
another variable to change. But it also will keep the
airspeed more consistent.

Pick a reference point on the cowling
and put it on the same spot on the
horizon every time. It will be a different point for left and right turns.
This will help you maintain altitude.
Focus primarily on outside references,
verifying with the instruments every
few seconds. You need only check the
inclinometer, vertical speed indicator
or altimeter, and attitude indicator.

Before beginning the maneuver,
conduct clearing turns. Pick a
reference point on the horizon to
use as the point where you will
start and stop the turn. This helps
to avoid having to look at the
compass or directional gyro.

Divide your bank angle by
two, and begin the rollout that
many degrees from your starting point. For example, if you
started the steep turn on a heading of 90 degrees, begin rolling
out at 67.5 degrees (90 minus
half of 45, or 22.5 degrees—
round it to 70 degrees).

Roll out of the maneuver in the
opposite way you rolled in—with
decisive ailerons, rudder, and by
pushing down as you roll past 30
degrees toward level.

PRACTICAL TEST STANDARDS
To determine that the applicant:

3. Rolls into a coordinated 360-degree turn;

6. Maintains the entry altitude, plus or minus

maintains a 45-degree bank.

100 feet; airspeed, plus or minus 10 knots; bank,

1. Exhibits satisfactory knowledge of the elements related to steep turns.

plus or minus 5 degrees; and rolls out on the
4. Performs the task in the opposite direction,
as specified by the examiner.

2. Establishes the manufacturer’s recommended
airspeed or if one is not stated, a safe airspeed

5. Divides attention between airplane control

not to exceed VA.

and orientation.

36 /

FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

entry heading, plus or minus 10 degrees.


http://FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

Flight Training - September 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - September 2013

Flight Training - September 2013
Contents
Member Benefits
Right Seat
Centerline
Letters
Dropping In
After the Checkride
How it Works
Success Story Tech Tip
News
Flight Training Excellence Award Winner
ASI News
AOPA Action
Summit Preview Training Products
Final Exam
Flying Carpet
Upside Down, Inside Out
No More Monkey Business
Technique
Weather
Checkride
Flight Lesson
Cause and Effect
Career Advisor
Tech Talk
Nothing to Fear
Reveal the Hidden Value
Advertiser Index
Debrief
Flight Training - September 2013 - Flight Training - September 2013
Flight Training - September 2013 - Cover2
Flight Training - September 2013 - 1
Flight Training - September 2013 - Contents
Flight Training - September 2013 - 3
Flight Training - September 2013 - Member Benefits
Flight Training - September 2013 - 5
Flight Training - September 2013 - Right Seat
Flight Training - September 2013 - 7
Flight Training - September 2013 - Centerline
Flight Training - September 2013 - 9
Flight Training - September 2013 - Letters
Flight Training - September 2013 - 11
Flight Training - September 2013 - Dropping In
Flight Training - September 2013 - 13
Flight Training - September 2013 - After the Checkride
Flight Training - September 2013 - How it Works
Flight Training - September 2013 - 16
Flight Training - September 2013 - Success Story Tech Tip
Flight Training - September 2013 - News
Flight Training - September 2013 - Flight Training Excellence Award Winner
Flight Training - September 2013 - ASI News
Flight Training - September 2013 - AOPA Action
Flight Training - September 2013 - Summit Preview Training Products
Flight Training - September 2013 - Final Exam
Flight Training - September 2013 - Flying Carpet
Flight Training - September 2013 - 25
Flight Training - September 2013 - Upside Down, Inside Out
Flight Training - September 2013 - 27
Flight Training - September 2013 - 28
Flight Training - September 2013 - 29
Flight Training - September 2013 - 30
Flight Training - September 2013 - 31
Flight Training - September 2013 - No More Monkey Business
Flight Training - September 2013 - 33
Flight Training - September 2013 - 34
Flight Training - September 2013 - 35
Flight Training - September 2013 - Technique
Flight Training - September 2013 - 37
Flight Training - September 2013 - Weather
Flight Training - September 2013 - 39
Flight Training - September 2013 - 40
Flight Training - September 2013 - Checkride
Flight Training - September 2013 - Flight Lesson
Flight Training - September 2013 - 43
Flight Training - September 2013 - 44
Flight Training - September 2013 - Cause and Effect
Flight Training - September 2013 - Career Advisor
Flight Training - September 2013 - 47
Flight Training - September 2013 - Tech Talk
Flight Training - September 2013 - Nothing to Fear
Flight Training - September 2013 - 50
Flight Training - September 2013 - Reveal the Hidden Value
Flight Training - September 2013 - Advertiser Index
Flight Training - September 2013 - 53
Flight Training - September 2013 - 54
Flight Training - September 2013 - 55
Flight Training - September 2013 - Debrief
Flight Training - September 2013 - Cover3
Flight Training - September 2013 - Cover4
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