Flight Training - September/October 2022 - 53

S-turns, a pilot will never have constant
flight controls, and the altitude will
change. To start, the pilot will first make
a 180-degree turn, where in the first 90
degrees the pilot is climbing, and in the
second 90 degrees the pilot is descending.
Let's say this first turn is to the
left. The pilot will then begin a second
180-degree climbing then descending
turn in the opposite direction as the first
turn, so in this case, to the right.
At the entry and each 180-degree
point, the pilot is aiming for the same
altitude and airspeed, and to be wings
level. The key to this maneuver is to stay
coordinated, and once you have perfected
lazy 8s, you'll be much better at
staying coordinated " across a wide range
of airspeeds and attitudes, " or so the FAA
hopes and expects.
EIGHTS ON PYLONS
Eights on pylons are a ground reference
maneuver with changing altitude, and
they can be thought of as a (big) update
to turns around a point. In eights on
pylons, we choose two points (pylons)
around which we will fly a figure eight.
As we do this, we are trying to keep the
pylons off the same point on our wings
at all times. With no wind, this means
that we would fly a level figure eight all
the way around the pylons. But since
no-wind days are virtually nonexistent,
we keep the same lateral orientation
around the pylon by varying the airplane's
pitch and bank throughout the
maneuver. As our groundspeed changes,
we change our pitch and roll to climb
and descend within a block between
something called pivotal altitudes
(which we calculate based on the winds/
groundspeed).
Sound confusing? It is, especially
at first. And frankly, this one takes a
little longer to get the hang of, and can
be frustrating. But keep with it. By mastering
eights on pylons, you'll develop
a more intuitive control of the airplane,
and you'll be better at dividing your
attention inside and outside the airplane.
The commercial maneuvers are challenging
for a reason-taking passengers
for hire is a huge responsibility, so don't
take the training lightly, and practice
until it clicks. FT
®
alicia.herron@aopa.org
Groundspeed
(knots)
80
90
100
110
Approximate pivotal
altitude (feet agl)
566
717
885
1,071
To approximate pivotal altitude, square the
groundspeed and divide by 11.3 (if the groundspeed
is in knots), then add the mean sea level
elevation of the ground reference.
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The first step for successful eights on pylons is correctly determining the direction of the wind. Use the
groundspeed readout in your GPS (or wind direction for newer glass) and then choose your points.
FLIGHT TRAINING SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 53
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Flight Training - September/October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - September/October 2022