Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Private Pilot (Airplane) • ACS Area V, Task A

The Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan covers the knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep turns.

Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Part 1, Introduction:
    0:05
    Part 2, Application of Steep Turns:
    0:10
    Part 3, Factors Affecting Steep Turn Performance:
    0:10
    Part 4, Steep Turns Procedure:
    0:10
    Part 5, Steep Turns Risk Management:
    0:10
    Part 6, Steep Turns Guided Scenario(s):
    0:15
    Part 7, Conclude Lesson:
    0:10
    Remotivation/Closure:
    0:05
    Total Ground Time:
    0:00

  • 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.

  • Motivator:

    • Steep turns develop a pilot's skill in flight control smoothness and coordination, 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.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Materials

Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Guided Scenario(s)

  • A pilot is conducting a local sightseeing flight with a passenger over a large lake. Visibility is excellent, winds are light, and the aircraft is established in cruise flight at 3,500 feet MSL.
  • While approaching the shoreline, the passenger points toward a lighthouse on a peninsula and requests a closer view. The pilot elects to maneuver around the landmark while maintaining a safe altitude and remaining clear of nearby terrain and traffic.
  • As the aircraft approaches the lighthouse, the pilot begins a coordinated turn to keep the landmark in sight. The turn gradually steepens as the pilot attempts to maintain visual reference with the lighthouse while simultaneously monitoring altitude and scanning for traffic.
  • During the maneuver, the passenger points out a sightseeing helicopter operating near the shoreline. The pilot's attention is now divided between maintaining aircraft control, tracking the landmark, and maintaining separation from other aircraft.
  • As bank angle increases, the aircraft begins to lose altitude. Additional back pressure is required to maintain the selected altitude while avoiding excessive angle of attack.
  • The increasing bank angle creates an overbanking tendency. The aircraft attempts to continue rolling into a steeper bank as the pilot maintains visual reference with the lighthouse.
  • While maintaining the turn, the pilot notices airspeed beginning to decrease. The aircraft is now operating at a higher load factor with a reduced stall margin than existed in straight-and-level flight.
  • The sightseeing helicopter changes direction and begins moving toward the opposite side of the landmark. The pilot must continue clearing the area while maintaining orientation and aircraft control.
  • The aircraft completes a full 360° turn and returns to the original heading. Without pausing, the passenger requests a view from the opposite side of the lighthouse. The pilot immediately transitions into a steep turn in the opposite direction while maintaining altitude, airspeed, coordination, and situational awareness.
  • As the second turn develops, the pilot encounters a slight distraction from a radio call announcing nearby traffic entering the area. The pilot must continue dividing attention between aircraft control, traffic avoidance, orientation, and maneuver execution.
  • The scenario concludes when the aircraft rolls out on the original entry heading following the second steep turn while maintaining aircraft control, coordination, altitude, airspeed, and situational awareness throughout the maneuver.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Student Actions

Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Airman Certification Standards

Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Airman Certification Standards

Knowledge 2 ACS Elements
Risk Management 5 ACS Elements
  • PA.V.A.R1:
    Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.
  • PA.V.A.R2:
    Collision hazards.
  • PA.V.A.R3:
    Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).
  • PA.V.A.R4:
    Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.
  • PA.V.A.R5:
    Uncoordinated flight.
Skills 5 ACS Elements
  • PA.V.A.S1:
    Clear the area.
  • PA.V.A.S3:
    Roll into a coordinated 360° steep turn with approximately a 45° bank.
  • PA.V.A.S4:
    Perform the Task in the opposite direction, as specified by evaluator.
  • PA.V.A.S5:
    Maintain the entry altitude ±100 feet, airspeed ±10 knots, bank ±5 degrees, and roll out on the entry heading ±10°.
Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Turns Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • 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.

  • Closure:

    • The 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.