Prepare for: Ground Reference Maneuvers
Rectangular course, S-turns and turns around a point teach wind correction and dividing your attention, just like the traffic pattern.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Fly at a low altitude (typically 600–1,000 ft AGL) clear of people and obstacles; enter downwind.
- Adjust bank for groundspeed: steepest bank when the wind is behind you (highest groundspeed), shallowest into the wind.
- On a rectangular course, crab on each leg to keep a constant distance from the field.
- On S-turns, cross the reference line with wings level; on turns around a point, keep a constant radius.
- Hold altitude ±100 ft and airspeed ±10 knots while looking outside for traffic.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
Private Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-6C)Task PA.V.B · Ground Reference Maneuvers
- Clear the area.
- Select a suitable ground reference area, line, or point as appropriate.
- Plan the maneuver:
- Apply adequate wind-drift correction during straight and turning flight to maintain a constant ground track around a rectangular reference area, or to maintain a constant radius turn on each side of a selected reference line or point.
- If performing S-Turns, reverse the turn directly over the selected reference line; if performing turns around a point, complete turns in either direction, as specified by the evaluator.
- Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.
- Maintain altitude ±100 feet; maintain airspeed ±10 knots.
Flight Instructor ACS (FAA-S-ACS-25)Task FI.IX.E · Ground Reference Maneuvers
See this task in the official ACS.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Prepare the night before
- Check the winds aloft at low altitude for today.
- Draw the ground track and where your bank should be steepest.
Common mistakes
- Holding the same bank all the way around (the wind will push you off).
- Losing altitude while looking outside.
- Picking a reference too close to houses.
Questions to ask your instructor
- How do you want me to enter?
- What reference points do you like around here?
Check yourself
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