Steep Turn

Steep Turn

What is a Steep Turn when flying?

Precision in Flight Maneuvers

A Steep Turn is a critical flight manoeuvre executed with a bank angle significantly greater than that in routine flight, typically between 45 to 60 degrees. Integral to flight training and pilot testing, this manoeuvre assesses a pilot's ability to maintain precise control over the aircraft under increased aerodynamic loads.

A Steep Turn is a fundamental flight manoeuvre characterized by executing a turn with an angle of bank significantly greater than that used in standard flight operations. Typically, this involves banking the aircraft at angles between 45 to 60 degrees, substantially higher than the gentle banks seen in routine turns. Steep turns are a critical component of flight training and testing, measuring a pilot’s proficiency in maintaining control and situational awareness under demanding flight conditions.

Purpose and Significance of Steep Turns

1. Skill Demonstration: Performing a steep turn requires precise control over the aircraft, showcasing the pilot's ability to manage increased load factors and maintain altitude and airspeed without external references.
2. Enhanced Situational Awareness: This manoeuvre emphasizes the importance of keeping a vigilant eye on flight instruments and the outside environment, enhancing a pilot's situational awareness.
3. Safety Proficiency: Mastery of steep turns equips pilots with the skills to safely handle unexpected situations, such as collision avoidance or manoeuvring in confined airspace.

Execution of a Steep Turn

Performing a steep turn involves several critical steps:

1. Pre-Maneuver Checks: Pilots conduct thorough checks, ensuring the aircraft is at the correct altitude, speed, and configuration and that the airspace is clear of other traffic.
2. Entry: The pilot smoothly increases the bank angle to the desired degree (typically 45 to 60 degrees), using ailerons while simultaneously applying back pressure on the control yoke or stick to maintain altitude.
3. Maintaining the Turn: The pilot must adjust the pitch and power throughout the turn to keep the altitude and airspeed constant despite the increased load factor.
4. Roll-Out: The pilot smoothly decreases the bank angle to level the wings, returning to straight-and-level flight, ensuring altitude and airspeed are maintained throughout the manoeuvre.

Training and Testing Importance

Steep turns are a standard part of private and commercial pilot training programs and are included in practical flight tests (check rides) to evaluate a pilot's handling skills. Mastery of steep turns demonstrates a pilot’s competence in controlling the aircraft under increased aerodynamic loads and is a testament to their overall flying proficiency.

Challenges in Performing Steep Turns

• Load Factor Increase: As the bank angle increases, so does the load factor, demanding precise control inputs to maintain altitude without stalling.
• Altitude Maintenance: The increased load requires more lift to maintain altitude, necessitating careful back pressure application on the control column.
• Spatial Disorientation: The increased bank angle can lead to spatial disorientation; pilots must rely on their instrument flying skills to maintain orientation.

Examples from Flight Training

• Private Pilot License (PPL) Training: Steep turns are taught as part of the basic manoeuvring skills, emphasizing control, coordination, and the ability to maintain altitude and heading.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) Training: The manoeuvre is performed with stricter tolerances, requiring the pilot to maintain tighter control over altitude and airspeed variations.

The steep turn manoeuvre is an essential skill in a pilot's repertoire, demonstrating their ability to handle the aircraft safely and efficiently under more challenging conditions. It tests a pilot's manual flying skills and their ability to maintain situational awareness and control over the aircraft’s attitude and power settings. As such, steep turns remain a cornerstone of flight training and proficiency testing, symbolizing a pilot's readiness to navigate the complexities of the airspace with confidence and skill.