### Introduction One of the maneuvers you'll demonstrate on your checkride is the Steep Turn. At first blush, this is a simple, straightforward maneuver.  The goal is to enter a 45° banked turn (50° for Commercial Pilots), and complete a 360° turn, while maintaining altitude and airspeed. Often you're asked to repeat the turn in the opposite direction. Beyond the the checkride, this maneuver is important for many reasons. It gives the pilot a clear experience of [[Adverse Yaw]] and [[Overbanking Tendency]]. It's also the only way to demonstrate increased G-forces in a continuous, non-transient way. In addition to demonstrating the maneuver, you'll also need to understand it, so this lesson covers the aerodynamics of steep turns, including the concept of [[Load Factor]] and its effect on stall speed. **Pre-Lesson Reading/Homework:** [[~ PPL Pre-Lesson Reading]] **Builds On:** [[PPL1.2 Four Fundamentals of Flight]] **Schedule:** Ground 0.5 hr, Flight 1.0 hr ### Lesson Elements > [!maneuver]- 3D Visualizer: Steep Turns > <iframe src="https://maneuvers.cfijack.com/?embed&m=steep-turns" width="100%" height="520" style="border:0;border-radius:12px"></iframe> 1. Aerodynamics of steep turns 1. [[Adverse yaw]] and rudder usage to compensate for it 2. Rudder usage during turn entry, steady turn, and turn exit 3. [[Overbanking Tendency]] -- possibly causing crossed controls during turn 4. Load factor (g force) varies with bank angle (reciprocal of cosine of bank angle) 5. Stall speed varies with square root of load factor![[Bank Versus Stall Speed and Load Factor]] 6. Most light aircraft designed for 3.8 positive g max (corresponds to 75-degree bank level turn) 7. [[Maneuvering speed]] Va - define and discuss entry speed for steep turn 2. Flying the maneuver 1. Set-up for maneuvering ([[CHAPS]]), start at [[Va]] 2. Crisp roll into 45° bank; add power passing ~30°; aft pressure for altitude 3. Rollout on entry heading 3. Notes 1. You may notice (subtle) opposite aileron during turn to prevent [[overbanking tendency]] 2. There's a lot of debate on if you should or shouldn't use trim. Jack suggests not, but you may want to. 3. May be ask to do one 360, or two back-to-back 4. One side vs other looks different 4. Common errors 1. Forgetting to scan for traffic or locating emergency field 2. Staring at the instruments too much -- this is easiest to fly just looking outside! 3. Using airspeed greater than Va 4. Letting altitude or bank angle drift during turn 5. Lack of rudder coordination 6. Not adding power to maintain airspeed 7. Rolling out on wrong heading ### Completion Standards Client must demonstrate the ability to choose an appropriate location, select a safe entry speed, perform 360° turn in either direction with 45° bank, maintain altitude and add power to maintain airspeed. > [!success]- Tolerances (Partial) from [[Private Pilot ACS|ACS]] > ±100'; ±10kts; bank±5°; hdg±10° ### Resources - [[Private Pilot ACS]] Section V.A ### Required Homework None ### Recommended Homework - [ ] Chair fly steep turns *Return to [[~ PPL Lesson Plan Outline|Table of Contents]]^*