What is a Steep Turn?

Steep turns consist of a single or multiple 360° turns in either or both directions, generally using a bank angle of 45° or 50° for training purposes. During the maneuver, pilots must maintain a constant altitude, airspeed, and bank angle.

When performing steep turns, pilots are exposed to:

• Higher load factors.
• The airplane’s inherent overbanking tendency.
• The need for additional power to maintain airspeed.
• The need for substantial pitch control pressures to maintain the vertical component of lift.

Related:

• Principles of Flight: Overbanking Tendency
• Principles of Flight: Effect of Turns on Load Factor
• Stall Awareness: Factors Affecting Stall Speed

The Need for Additional Power in a Steep Turn

As an airplane is banked, back pressure on the pitch control is applied to maintain level flight. The increase in lift results in more drag and a slower airspeed.

The turn also increases the load factor and stalling speed. Power must be increased to overcome drag and maintain a margin above the stall speed.

How to Perform a Steep Turn

Pre-Maneuver Checks and Configuration

• Clear the area
• Heading established and noted:
  • Select a suitable reference point on the horizon
  • Align the heading bug, if equipped, to the reference point
• Altitude established:
  • No lower than 1,500′ AGL [ASEL]
  • No lower than 3,000′ AGL [AMEL]
• Position near a suitable emergency landing area
• Set power and aircraft configuration:
  • Perform the clean (cruise) configuration flow
  • Establish the recommended airspeed, or if not stated, an airspeed at or below V_A or V_O

Related:

• Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance: Visual Clearing Procedures
• Basic Flight Maneuvers: Pre-Maneuver Configuration Flows

Use of Trim

Steep turns can be performed with or without trim. Using trim reduces the need for large control inputs and allows the pilot to keep a light feel on the controls during the turn.

If using trim, adjust it as the bank angle goes beyond 30°. During the rollout, apply forward pressure on the pitch control to prevent “ballooning” (gaining altitude) until the trim is reset.

Entry

1. Note the pitch and power settings for use during the rollout.
2. Smoothly and firmly apply aileron and rudder pressure in the direction of the desired turn.
3. As the bank angle increases, apply back pressure on the pitch control to maintain level flight. Apply trim if desired.
4. Smoothly add power to maintain airspeed.
5. When the bank angle has reached 45° or 50°, the pitch reference point on the windshield should be just a slight bit higher than for a 30° bank turn.

Execution

1. Use the aileron control to keep the bank angle from increasing (correction for overbanking tendency).
2. For airspeed deviations, make power adjustments.
3. For altitude deviations, make slight pitch and bank angle adjustments:
   • If altitude is decreasing, momentarily reduce the bank angle a few degrees.
   • If altitude is increasing, momentarily increase the bank angle a few degrees.

Rollout

1. Lead the rollout heading by one-half the number of degrees of the angle of bank (e.g., 50° bank ÷ 2 = 25° lead).
2. Simultaneously apply forward pressure to level the pitch attitude and reduce the power back to the entry setting.
3. Immediately roll into a turn in the opposite direction, if appropriate.

Exit

1. Return to cruise speed, trimming as necessary.
2. Complete the cruise checklist.

Common Errors for Steep Turns

• Failure to scan for traffic before and during the maneuver
• Inadequate pitch control on entry or rollout
• Gaining altitude in right turns and losing altitude in left turns (when flown from the left seat)
• Failure to maintain a constant bank angle
• Poor flight control coordination
• Ineffective use of trim or power
• Loss of orientation
• Overcontrolling (low and fast to high and slow and vice-versa)
• Performing by reference to the flight instruments rather than visual references
• Attempting to start the rollout prematurely
• Not completing the turn on the designated heading or reference

Related: Aeromedical Factors: Parallax Error

Airman Certification Standards for Steep Turns

References: FAA-S-8081-29, FAA-S-ACS-6, FAA-S-ACS-7, FAA-S-ACS-25

Notes:

• For sport and private pilots, the number of 360° turns is specified by the evaluator. Commercial pilot and flight instructor certification requires two 360° turns in opposite directions.
• Steep turns are not considered as “self-clearing.” A failure to clear the area is subject to disapproval.