Teaching and Learning Flying - Commercial Pilot, Single-Engine Airplane

Chandelles

A chandelle is a maximum-performance, climbing 180° turn, beginning from SLF at V_A and ending in a wings-level nose-high attitude at MCA.

• Lights on
• CLEAR area with two 90° turns, left and right
• Enter above 1,500 feet AGL
• Entry airspeed at or below V_A
• Mixture rich, prop in high RPM

Commercial Pilot PTS, VI, B
• Explain performance factors
• Altitude above 1,500 feet AGL
• Entry not to exceed V_A
• Establishes approximately 30° bank
• Power + pitch in smooth, coordinated climbing turn with constant bank to 90°
• From 90° to 180°, constant rate of rollout with constant pitch and power
• Rollout at 180° +/-10°, just above stall, maintain airspeed
• Resume SLF with minimum loss of altitude

• To develop the student's coordination, orientation, planning, and feel for maximum-performance flight
• To develop the student's ability to use positive control techniques at varying airspeeds and attitudes

PREFLIGHT
• Discuss definition, safety factors, tolerances, and objectives of chandelles
• Selection of a suitable entry altitude above 1,500 feet AGL
• Entry airspeed and power setting
  • V_A, (N6209T: 105 knots)
  • MP approximately 19"
  • If maximum climb power chandelle is planned, mixture rich and prop to high RPM prior to entry
• Entry technique
  1. Lights on and CLEAR area with 90° turns, left and right
  2. SLF at V_A
  3. Note heading and, especially, outside references
  4. Smooth coordinated 30° bank
  5. Then smoothly adjust pitch up to +15°
  6. If climb power desired, then, as pitch is adjusted, smoothly add climb power, MP 30"
  7. Maintain 30° bank during first 90° of turn
• Division of attention and planning
• Coordination of flight controls
  Plan moderate right rudder during right chandelle and during rollout of left chandelle
• Pitch and bank attitudes at various points during the maneuver
  1. On entry, bank from level to 30°
  2. First 90° of turn: constant 30° bank while increasing pitch to 15°
  3. Last 90°: constant 15° pitch while decreasing bank to level
• Proper correction for torque effect in right and left turns
  • Relative requirement for right rudder in both directions
  • Right chandelle: relatively firm right rudder during climbing turn; torque will aid rollout to left so little or no left rudder may be needed, then moderate right rudder again as nose-high level attitude attained
  • Left chandelle: torque aids climbing turn; rollout requires considerable right rudder (aileron drag and torque)
• Achievement of maximum performance Amount of altitude gain is not a criterion of quality
• Achieve good altitude gain for conditions flying a smooth, coordinated maneuver
• Completion technique
  1. At the 180° point, maintain heading, coordination, and airspeed just above stall momentarily
  2. Then, hold altitude and gradually lower nose to SLF

• Demonstrate chandelles
• Coach student practice
  1. Start with 180° level turns with 30° of bank during the first 90° then smooth constant rate of rollout during the second 90°
  2. Then chandelles with constant power
  3. Then chandelles with climb power, 30"

Critique student performance

• Improper pitch, bank, and power coordination during entry or completion
  1. First bank
  2. Then pitch and power
• Uncoordinated use of flight controls
• Improper planning and timing of pitch and bank attitude
• Factors related to failure in achieving maximum performance
  Poor planning, disorientation
• A stall during the maneuver
• Excessive deviation from desired heading during completion
  Tendency is for right chandelle to stop short of 180° and left chandelle to exceed 180° (torque)

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