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

Eights-On-Pylons

Eights-on-pylons is a flight maneuver in which the airplane is flown in an approximate "figure-eight" flightpath alternating around two pylons. During the turns on each pylon, a constant "line-of-sight" reference is maintained, so that the airplane appears to pivot around the pylon on the end of this reference line.

• Lights on
• CLEAR area with two 90° turns, left and right
• Maximum bank 30-40°
• Suitable emergency landing area within gliding distance (adjacent)

• Approximately 3 to 5 seconds of straight-and-level flight between pylons
• Maximum bank angle approximately 30° to 40°
• Line-of-sight reference remains on pylon with minimum longitudinal and vertical movement
• Holds pylon avoiding slips and skids

• To develop the student's knowledge and skill in performance of eights-on-pylons to meet the Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards
• To develop the planning, coordination, and orientation required to accurately maneuver the airplane on pylons while dividing attention between outside references, instrument indications, and watching for other traffic

PREFLIGHT
• Discuss the definition, safety factors, tolerances, and objectives of eights-on-pylons
• Diagram eights-on-pylons on chalkboard
• Use model airplane to demonstrate "line-of-sight" reference
• Discuss formula for estimating pivotal altitude from groundspeed,
  PA=(GS)2/(11.3)
• Discuss selection of suitable pylons (approximately 1/2 mile apart on line perpendicular to wind, adjacent to an emergency landing area)
• Instructor and then student explain procedures associated with eights-on-pylons and corrections used to maintain the "line-of-sight" reference on the pylon
INFLIGHT
• Explain again while demonstrating eights-on-pylons
• CLEAR area
• Flying crosswind, select suitable pylons on downwind side
• Enter at cruise airspeed at approximate pivotal altitude diagonally downwind over midpoint between pylons
• Turn into wind, setting up constant "line-of-sight" reference on pylon
• Hold "line-of-sight" reference on pylon using elevator to descend to pylon moving ahead of reference and to climb "back" to pylon moving behind reference
• Roll out with crab into wind to fly straight-and-level over midpoint between pylons and arrive abeam next pylon at approximate pivotal altitude
• Coach student practice of eights-on-pylons
• Student flies several eights-on-pylons as described and demonstrated
POSTFLIGHT
• Critique student performance

• Poor pylon picking (e.g., no suitable emergence landing area within gliding distance, not prominent enough, too far apart)
• Faulty entry technique
• Poor planning, orientation, division of attention (may lead to "losing" a pylon)
• Uncoordinated flight control application
• Use of improper "line-of-sight" reference
• Application of rudder alone to maintain "line-of-sight" on the pylon
• Improper timing of turn entries and rollouts
• Poor wind drift correction between pylons

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