Prepare for: Steep Turns
360° turns at 45° bank (private) or 50° bank (commercial), holding altitude, airspeed and bank.
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
- Clear the area, pick a heading reference on the horizon, and set the entry speed (at or below VA).
- Roll into the bank smoothly, adding back pressure and a little power as the bank passes 30°.
- Hold the bank with the horizon picture and use small pitch changes to stay at altitude; watch for overbanking tendency.
- Start the rollout about half your bank angle before the entry heading (about 20–25°), releasing back pressure as you roll out.
- Repeat in the opposite direction.
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.A · Steep Turns
- Clear the area.
- Establish the manufacturer's recommended airspeed; or if one is not available, an airspeed not to exceed the maneuvering speed (VA).
- Roll into a coordinated 360° steep turn with approximately a 45° bank.
- Perform the Task in the opposite direction, as specified by evaluator.
- Maintain the entry altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, bank ±5°, and roll out on the entry heading ±10°.
Commercial Pilot ACS (FAA-S-ACS-7B)Task CA.V.A · Steep Turns
- Clear the area.
- Establish the manufacturer's recommended airspeed; or if one is not available, an airspeed not to exceed maneuvering speed (VA).
- Roll into a coordinated 360° steep turn with approximately a 50° bank.
- Perform the Task in the opposite direction.
- Maintain the entry altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, bank ±5°, and roll out on the entry heading ±10°.
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
- Note the sight picture: where the horizon sits on the cowling at 45°.
- Know VA at your weight.
Common mistakes
- Climbing or descending as bank changes.
- Forgetting to release back pressure on rollout (you'll climb).
- Fixating on instruments instead of looking outside.
Questions to ask your instructor
- Where should the horizon sit on the panel at 45°?
- How much power do you add in this airplane?
Check yourself
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