Steep Turns

What is a Steep Turn?

Steep turns consist of single to multiple 360° turns, in either or both directions, using a bank angle between 45° and 60°.

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.

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 bank angle also increases the load factor and stalling speed. This is undesirable. The stall speed is increasing, and the airspeed is decreasing. Power must be increased to overcome drag and maintain a margin above the stall speed.

How to Perform a Steep Turn

Pre-Maneuver Checks

• 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

• No lower than 1,500' AGL [ASEL]
• No lower than 3,000' AGL [AMEL]

• Establish the recommended airspeed, or if not stated, an airspeed at or below V_A or V_O
• Normal cruise configuration
• Note the pitch and power settings for use during the rollout

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. Smoothly and firmly apply aileron and rudder pressure in the direction of the desired turn.
2. As the bank angle increases, apply back pressure on the pitch control to maintain level flight. Apply trim if desired.
3. Smoothly add power to maintain airspeed.
4. 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

• Use the aileron control to keep the bank angle from increasing (correction for overbanking tendency).
• For airspeed deviations, make power adjustments.
• 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

Airman Certification Standards for Steep Turns