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

Steep Power Turns

The "steep power turn" maneuver is a maximum performance 360° (or 720°) turn using a bank angle steep enough to cause an "overbanking" tendency and attain relatively high load factors.

• Above 1,500 feet AGL
• Lights on
• CLEAR area with two 90° turns, left and right
• Maneuvering speed, V_A, (N6209T: approximately 105 knots)
• Less than 60° bank
• Division of attention includes watching for other traffic

• Private Pilot PTS, VII E, Constant Altitude Turns
  • Explain performance factors
  • Altitude above 1,500 feet
  • Airspeed < V_A
  • Bank 45° +/-5°
  • Rollout on heading +/-10°
  • Altitude +/-100 feet
• Commercial PTS, VI A, Steep Power Turns: as Private except:
  • Establish recommended entry airspeed
  • Bank 50° +/-5°
  • Airspeed +/-10 knots (if within performance capability of airplane)
  • Rollout on heading +/-10°
  • Avoid any indication of a stall

To develop smoothness, coordination, orientation, division of attention, and control techniques while executing high performance turns

PREFLIGHT
• Discuss definition, objectives, tolerances, and elements of steep power turns
• Relationship of bank angle, load factor, and stalling speed
  • Load factor increases rapidly as bank angle exceeds 45°
  • At 60° bank, load factor is 2 G's
  • Stall speed increases in proportion to the square root of the load factor
• Overbanking tendency
  • Bank angle greater than 45°: relative excess lift on outside wing overcomes dihedral and keel effects responsible for positive static roll stability in shallow bank turns
  • Negative static stability
  • Requirement for opposite aileron pressure
• Torque effect in right and left turns
  Pitch higher + power increase = increase in left turning tendency
• Selection of a suitable altitude
  Above 1,500 feet AGL
• Orientation, division of attention, and planning
  Most attention outside + quick scans inside
• Appropriate power setting and airspeed prior to entry
  V_A, (N6209T: MP 19 in, 105 knots)
• Coordination of flight controls
• Differential wing drag
  • Wing with lowered aileron has more drag
  • May cause adverse yaw
  • Role of Frise type ailerons (N6209T)
INFLIGHT
• Demonstrate the steep power turn, 360°
  1. Lights on and CLEAR area
  2. Note heading and ground reference
  3. Smooth, coordinated bank to 50 +/-5°
  4. After bank exceeds 30°, pitch up and add 1" of MP
  5. Hold reference spot on horizon
  6. Correct small altitude changes with small bank changes
  7. Lead rollout approximately 30°
  8. Smooth, coordinated rollout while releasing back elevator pressure and reducing MP 1"
• Coach student practice in both directions
POSTFLIGHT
Critique student performance

• Improper pitch, bank, and power coordination during entry and rollout
  • Too much pitch up too soon on entry
  • Holding back pressure during rollout and climbing
• Uncoordinated use of flight controls
  Especially slipping in right turns
• Inappropriate control applications
• Improper technique in correcting altitude deviations
• Loss of orientation
  Forgetting initial heading or outside reference
• Excessive deviation from desired heading during rollout
  • Lack of planning
  • Lead rollout by approximately 30°

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