LESSON: Steep Turns

LESSON: Steep Turns

OBJECTIVE:

To develop the students understanding of Steep Turns

ELEMENTS:

Elements of Steep Turns

·  Relationship of bank angle, load factor, and stalling speed

·  Overbanking tendency

·  Torque effect in right and left turns

·  Selection of a suitable altitude

·  Orientation, division of attention, and planning

·  Appropriate power setting and airspeed prior to entry

·  Entry and rollout technique

·  Coordination of flight controls

·  Differential wing drag

·  Altitude, bank, and power control during the turn

Common errors related to Steep Turns

·  Improper pitch, bank and power coordination during entry and rollout

·  Uncoordinated use of flight controls

·  Inappropriate control applications

·  Improper technique in correcting altitude deviations

·  Loss of orientation

·  Excessive deviation from desired heading during rollout

SCHEDULE:

·  20 Minutes

EQUIPMENT:

·  Appropriate textbooks

·  Chalkboard & chalk

·  Model aircraft

·  Appropriate slides/Visual Aids

INSTRUCTORS ACTIONS:

·  Discuss lesson objective

·  Introduce the concept of Steep Turns

·  Discuss Elements of, and Common errors related to Steep Turns

·  Ask pertinent questions to determine students understanding

·  Assign appropriate study material

STUDENTS ACTIONS:

·  Listen, take notes, ask questions

·  Respond to instructors questions

·  Leave with a framework understanding of the subject

COMPLETEION STANDARDS:

The student should demonstrate adequate understanding of Steep turns by:

successfully completing an oral quiz or written exam

Introduction

Attention/Motivation

Even though steep turns are a maneuver that is normally not performed intentionally in everyday flight. It is a good maneuver to gain a practical understanding of load factors, and help develop smoothness, coordination, orientation, and division of attention

Overview

This lesson discusses the elements, procedures and common problems encountered when performing steep turns

DEVELOPMENT

·  A turn is considered steep when the bank angle exceeds 40 degrees

·  A steep turn is a level 360° turn where the angle of bank is between 40° and 60°

Turning and Load Factor Review

·  In a turn lift is divided into two components, Horizontal & Vertical

·  Airplanes turn because of the Horizontal component of lift

·  The Load supported by the wings increases as the angle of bank increases

·  Steeper the angle of bank the more horizontal component of lift is required

·  Load factor at 60º-bank is 2 G’s (Load Factor Chart: Load factor Vs. Bank Angle)

·  Stalling speed and load factor are directly proportional: As Load factor increases the airplane will stall at a higher and higher airspeed

Performing a Steep Turn

1.  Clear the area

·  Clearing turns

·  122.75, announce: area, altitude, maneuvers

·  Make sure you are at an appropriate altitude, no lower than 1500’ AGL

1.  Stabilize the Airplane

·  Set Power for maneuvering speed Va (C-172RG 95 Knots, 18" MP, 2500 RPM )

·  Trim for straight and level flight

·  Identify a prominent landmark straight ahead

·  Note heading on the HI and set heading bug if available

1.  Establish Bank

·  Roll in to the turn with smooth and coordinated aileron, rudder and back pressure

·  Make sure to use the rudder properly to counteract adverse yaw

·  Rolling through 30° of bank add approximately 2-3" MP

·  Increasing back pressure as required to maintain altitude

·  Keep a scan between outside horizon, altimeter, AI, and airspeed indicator

·  Establish bank angle 45° Pvt. 50° Comm.

·  Neutralize aileron pressure upon reaching the desired bank angle

·  Keep in back pressure

1.  Stabilize Altitude

·  Keep in enough back pressure to maintain altitude

·  Use outside horizon and altimeter to maintain altitude

·  If gaining altitude decrease back pressure slightly, approximately ½"

·  If Loosing altitude increase back pressure, this will require more force and more back pressure, approximately 1-2"

·  Be prepared for an increase in load factors

·  Outside for traffic

1.  Stabilize Bank Angle

·  Maintain Approximately 45° or 50° angle of bank ± 5°

·  Be prepared for overbanking tenancies

·  This overbanking tenancy results from the airplane being banked steeply enough that it begins to display negative static stability about its longitudinal axis

·  Apply slight and smooth aileron pressure opposite the direction of turn

·  Keep a scan between outside horizon and attitude indicator to maintain constant bank angle

1.  Stabilize Airspeed

·  Incorporate airspeed indicator into scan

·  If airspeed is decreasing add power (approximately 1-2" of manifold pressure)

·  If airspeed is increasing decrease power (approximately 1-2" of manifold pressure)

1.  Rollout

·  Initiate rollout approximately 20 - 25° before the entry heading

·  Rollout on your landmark that you identified during the entry

·  This should ensure that you are within ± 10° of the entry heading

·  Apply smooth and coordinated aileron and rudder pressure in the opposite direction of the turn

·  Decrease back pressure to prevent ballooning

·  Reduce power to the entry settings (18" MP 2300 RPM)

1.  Initiate second turn (Comm only)

·  Roll into a steep turn in the opposite direction of the one just completed

·  Repeat steps 3 through 7

Common errors related to Steep Turns

Improper pitch, bank and power coordination during entry and rollout

·  Smoothly and simultaneously add aileron and rudder pressure, and add back elevator pressure during the entry

·  Don’t pitch excessively forward to correct for gaining altitude

·  Don’t underestimate the amount of back pressure required to maintain altitude

·  Trim only if necessary

·  Rollout must be coordinated too

·  Smoothly and simultaneously add opposite aileron and rudder pressure, and don’t forget to decrease back elevator pressure

·  For comm only, don’t reduce power on the transition from turns

Uncoordinated use of flight controls

·  Incorporate the turn coordinator into the scan

Inappropriate control applications

·  Use smooth control inputs

·  Rudder is not used to move the nose up or down in relation to the horizon

Improper technique in correcting altitude deviations

·  May be necessary to decrease the bank angle slightly to prevent a steep spiral when correcting altitude deviations

Loss of orientation

·  Loosing site of the reference point upon rollout, choose a prominent point

·  Spatial disorientation may become a factor

Excessive deviation from desired heading during rollout

·  This is caused by lack of planning

·  Lead the rollout by ½ the bank angle

·  Monitor the heading indicator during the turn

CONCLUSION

·  Load factors increase greatly with steep turns

·  Use smooth and coordinated aileron, rudder, and elevator control inputs on both the entry and exit

·  Keep a continuos scan between the outside reference points, flight instruments, and surrounding area