Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area IV, Task A
The Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep turns.
Introduction
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Schedule
Topic:Time:Part 1, Introduction:0:05Part 2, Application of Steep Turns:0:10Part 3, Factors Affecting Steep-Turn Performance:0:10Part 4, Steep Turns Procedure:0:10Part 5, Steep Turns Risk Management:0:10Part 6, Guided Scenario(s):0:15Part 7, Conclude Lesson:0:10Remotivation/Closure:0:05Total Ground Time:0:00
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Attention Getter:
- Research and present a mishap case study:
- Discuss how the initial conditions developed into an incident/accident/mishap.
- Relate similar personal experiences of the same type of incident/accident/mishap.
- Consider incorporating a case study as a guided scenario.
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Motivator:
- Steep turns develop a pilot's skill in flight control smoothness and coordination during high angles of banks, an awareness of the airplane's orientation to outside references, division of attention between flight control applications, and the constant need to scan for hazards and other traffic in the area.
- Maximum performance turns are defined as using the fastest rate of turn and shortest radius.
- These turns will cause a much higher stalling speed.
- Limiting load factor determines the maximum bank without stalling.
Materials
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Required Materials:
- Writing instrument (pen, marker, etc.).
- Writing surface (paper, whiteboard, etc.).
- Pilot Information/Operating Handbook/Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Aircraft Checklists.
- Airman Certification Standards.
- Student jacket.
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Optional Materials:
- Personal Weather Minimums Worksheet.
- Instructor endorsement log.
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Reference Materials:
- Steep Turns Supplement.
- Instructor Endorsement Log.
- Takeoff and Climb Supplement.
- Turn Performance Supplement.
- Airspeed Indicator Supplement.
- Stall Performance Supplement.
- Airplane Stall and Recovery Procedures Supplement.
- Fitness for Flight Supplement.
- Risk Management Handbook.
- Airplane Flying Handbook.
- Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge.
- Performance Calculations Supplement.
- Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance Supplement.
- Clearing Turns Supplement.
- Test-taking Guidance.
- Test Guides.
- The Checkride Supplement.
Instructor Actions
- Review the supporting-topic common errors and assess the learner's understanding of their mitigations.
- Review Clearing Turns common errors and mitigations.
- Apply the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Review the common errors and their associated mitigations with the learner.
- Have the learner explain how to recognize, prevent, and correct each applicable error using aircraft-specific procedures and limitations.
- Use a scenario or observed practice error to verify the learner can select and apply the mitigation.
- Before the lesson, review reference materials.
- Part 1, Introduce the lesson:
- Review the lesson plan, including the attention and motivator.
- Review the airman certification standards (ACS).
- Part 2, Application of Steep Turns:
- Elicit prior knowledge, then establish the operational relevance of situations in which steep turns would be performed.
- Part 3, Factors Affecting Steep-Turn Performance:
- Review the aerodynamics associated with steep turns. (CA.V.A.K2)
- Explain and demonstrate coordinated flight. (CA.V.A.K2a)
- Use an aircraft- or scenario-specific example, then have the learner explain overbanking tendencies. (CA.V.A.K2b)
- Demonstrate a maneuvering speed calculation for several different variables.
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain how weight changes affect maneuvering speed. (CA.V.A.K2c)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply load factor and accelerated stalls. (CA.V.A.K2d)
- Relate airspeed and bank angle to turn rate and radius, and predict how changing airspeed affects each. (CA.V.A.K2e)
- Review the aerodynamics associated with steep turns. (CA.V.A.K2)
- Part 4, Steep Turns Procedure:
- Discuss and demonstrate the steep-turn procedure. (CA.V.A.K1)
- Clear the area before beginning the maneuver. (CA.V.A.S1)
- Establish the manufacturer's recommended airspeed or, if none is published, an airspeed not exceeding maneuvering speed. (CA.V.A.S2)
- Roll into a coordinated 360-degree turn with approximately 50 degrees of bank, then perform the maneuver in the opposite direction. (CA.V.A.S3) (CA.V.A.S4)
- Maintain entry altitude within 100 feet, airspeed within 10 knots, bank within 5 degrees, and roll out on the entry heading within 10 degrees. (CA.V.A.S5)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the steep turns common errors.
- Part 5, Steep Turns Risk Management:
- Manage division of attention between aircraft control, orientation, and outside references. (CA.V.A.R1)
- Use clearing procedures and an effective visual scan to mitigate collision hazards. (CA.V.A.R2)
- Use guided questioning to have the learner explain and apply the hazards of low-altitude maneuvering, including stalls, spins, and controlled flight into terrain. (CA.V.A.R3)
- Manage distractions, task prioritization, loss of situational awareness, and disorientation. (CA.V.A.R4)
- Recognize and correct uncoordinated flight. (CA.V.A.R5)
- Part 6, Guided Scenario(s):
- Use the guided scenario to have the learner select a safe maneuvering area and altitude, calculate an appropriate entry speed, manage collision and stall risks, and evaluate maneuver tolerances.
- Part 7, Conclude Lesson:
- Tie lesson back to previous lessons to reinforce past experiences (law of readiness).
- Present the remotivation, conclude, and provide guidance for follow-on lessons.
- Review student actions required ahead of the next lesson.
- Update the instructor log and student progress. Select the student and sign off completed objectives. If the student does not have a connected account, record the update manually in the instructor log and student training record.
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan Interactive Guided Scenario
Commercial Pilot Airplane Steep Turns Guided Flight
Work through one integrated 184-decision guided scenario combining 11 linked lesson topics into a comprehensive training exercise.
Decision 1
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Scenario Complete
Student Actions
- Review the supporting-topic common errors and explain how you will prevent and correct each applicable error.
- Review Clearing Turns common errors and mitigations.
- Apply the guidance appropriate to the aircraft and visual or instrument flight conditions.
- Review the common errors and their associated mitigations before practice.
- Explain the mitigation for each applicable error and identify how you will apply it during the maneuver.
- During the debrief, identify any errors made and the correction to use on the next attempt.
- Complete the assigned readings (see content above).
- Ask pertinent questions
- Perform self-assessment, including fitness for flight and personal minimums, as appropriate.
- Make a go/no-go decision, as appropriate
Airman Certification Standards
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Airman Certification Standards:
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep turns
- Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
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CA.V.A.K1: -
CA.V.A.K2: Aerodynamics associated with steep turns, including:-
CA.V.A.K2a: -
CA.V.A.K2b: -
CA.V.A.K2c: Maneuvering speed, including the impact of weight changes. -
CA.V.A.K2d: -
CA.V.A.K2e:
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Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
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CA.V.A.R1: Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation. -
CA.V.A.R2: -
CA.V.A.R3: Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT). -
CA.V.A.R4: Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation. -
CA.V.A.R5:
Skills 5 ACS Elements
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CA.V.A.S1: -
CA.V.A.S2: Establish the manufacturer's recommended airspeed; or if one is not available, an airspeed not to exceed maneuvering speed (VA). -
CA.V.A.S3: Roll into a coordinated 360° steep turn with approximately a 50° bank. -
CA.V.A.S4: Perform the Task in the opposite direction. -
CA.V.A.S5: Maintain the entry altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, bank ±5°, and roll out on the entry heading ±10°.
Conclusion
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Re-Motivation:
- Steep Turns strengthens the coordination, energy awareness, and precise control needed to keep the airplane within safe aerodynamic limits.
- Recognizing changes in angle of attack, load factor, control effectiveness, wind drift, and developing errors allows pilots to correct before safety margins disappear.
- Structured practice builds visual awareness, aircraft feel, checklist discipline, and the judgment required to discontinue or recover when a maneuver becomes unstable.
- Mastery of Steep Turns provides a foundation for the more precise and complex aircraft-control tasks encountered in later training.
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Closure:
- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provides test-taking guidance and test guides on its website.
- To learn more about preparing for the practical test, visit the checkride page.
- Advise students that this lesson will be used as a starting point for the next lesson.
- Assign study materials for the next lesson.