Chandelle

Learn how to perform a chandelle, a maximum-performance 180-degree climbing turn, including entry, pitch and bank coordination, rollout, ACS standards, and common mistakes.

Chandelle

Introduction to Chandelle

  • Chandelles develop a pilot's coordination, orientation, planning and feel for maximum performance flight.
  • A chandelle is a maximum performance 180° climbing turn beginning from straight-and-level flight and ending wings level, nose high at Minimum Controllable Airspeed (MCA).
  • Torque effect will become more prominent through the maneuver.
  • You should hear the stall warning horn if at minimum controllable airspeed.

  • WARNING:
    All procedures are GENERALIZED.
    Use the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) procedures for specific aircraft performance and limitations.
    and/or current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
  • Reinforce your understanding of Chandelle by completing the knowledge quiz and interactive scenario, comparing your performance with the applicable Airman Certification Standards, and reviewing the topic summary before moving on.
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Chandelle

Chandelle Key Highlights

  • The chandelle is a maximum performance climbing turn used to develop aircraft control coordination and energy management skills.
  • The maneuver combines a 180-degree turn with a continuous climb while maintaining coordinated flight throughout the maneuver.
  • Chandelles are typically initiated from straight-and-level flight at a safe maneuvering airspeed and maximum allowable power setting.
  • Bank angle increases smoothly during the first 90 degrees of turn while pitch attitude continues increasing.
  • During the second 90 degrees of turn, bank angle gradually decreases while the aircraft reaches maximum pitch attitude.
  • The maneuver concludes at the minimum controllable airspeed just above stall speed while maintaining coordinated flight.
  • Pilots must divide attention between outside visual references, aircraft attitude, coordination, and airspeed control.
  • Smooth and coordinated control inputs are essential to prevent stalls, excessive bank angles, or loss of directional control.
  • Chandelles improve pilot understanding of aircraft performance limitations and aerodynamic energy management.
  • Understanding chandelles improves aircraft control precision, coordination skills, and overall flight safety.
Chandelle

Purpose of Chandelles

  • Airplane Flying Handbook, Chandelles
    Airplane Flying Handbook, Chandelles
  • Develops positive control techniques at varying airspeeds and altitudes with the goal of the maneuver being to gain the most altitude possible for a given bank angle and power setting. []
    • The standard used to judge the maneuver is not the amount of altitude gained, but rather the pilot's proficiency as it pertains to maximizing climb performance for the power and bank selected, as well as the skill demonstrated.
  • According to the AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association), a chandelle shows how much rudder is required to counteract yaw as an airplane slows and its wing angle of attack increases at high engine power, and the differences in rudder and aileron pressure when making a climbing left turn compared to a climbing right turn.
    • Though not it's specific purpose, the principles demonstrated by performing a chandelle can be a potentially lifesaving turnaround maneuver for pilots who mistakenly fly into canyons or regions of rising terrain and make a tight, 180-degree turn.
  • Airplane Flying Handbook, Chandelles
    Airplane Flying Handbook, Chandelles
Chandelle

Chandelle Procedure

  1. Perform clearing turns.
  2. Select an altitude that will allow the maneuver to be performed no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
  3. Maintain level flight by adjusting pitch and setting power for the manufacturers recommended airspeed..
    • In many cases this airspeed is the airplane's design maneuvering speed (VA) or operating maneuvering speed (VO).
    • Trim as necessary.
    • Ensure aircraft is in a clean configuration (flaps up, gear up, as applicable) per POH.
  4. Pick a prominent visual reference point at 90°, off the wing tip of the first turn.
    • Prominent visual reference points will help you keep situational awareness throughout the maneuver.
    • The farther away, the more accurate and steady the procedure can be flown.
  5. Phase 1: (constant bank and continuously increasing pitch).
    • Initiate a roll into a 30° bank (± 5°) in the direction of the reference point.
    • After the bank is established, initiate a climbing turn by smoothly applying elevator back-pressure to increase the pitch attitude, and increase power smoothly as appropriate to maximize performance (typically to climb power).
      • In airplanes with a fixed-pitch propeller, the throttle should be set so as to not exceed rotations per minute (rpm) limitations.
      • In airplanes with constant-speed propellers, power may be set at the normal cruise or climb setting as appropriate.
      • Anticipate increasing right rudder pressure requirements as airspeed decreases and torque effects become more pronounced to maintain coordination.
      • Maintain smooth application of flight control pressures and continuous coordination to prevent stalls or skidding.
    • While maintaining a 30° bank (± 5°), continue increasing the pitch attitude at a constant rate so as to attain the highest pitch altitude. at the 90° point (reference point) in the turn.
      • If the pitch attitude is set too low, the airplane's airspeed will never decrease to just above stall speed.
      • If the pitch attitude is set too high, the airplane may aerodynamically stall prior to completion of the maneuver.
      • As airspeed slows, increased back pressure will be required.
      • As airspeed slows and back pressure is added, overbanking tendencies increase.
      • Maintain smooth application of flight control pressures and continuous coordination.
  6. Phase 2: (constant pitch and continuously decreasing bank).
    • At the 90° point in the turn, maintain the pitch attitude by continuing to increase back-pressure (due to decreasing airspeed).
    • Initiate a slow rate of roll-out so as to arrive at the 180° (± 10°) point with the wings level (reference point off from the opposite wing) and at minimum controllable airspeed (just above stall warning).
      • Right Chandelles: When rolling out from a right chandelle, the yawing moment is to the right, meaning, either very little left rudder or a reduction in right rudder pressure is required during the rollout from a right chandelle.
      • Left Chandelles: When rolling out from a left chandelle, the yawing moment is to the right, meaning, significant right rudder pressure is required during the rollout from a left chandelle, especially when rolling out from a left chandelle due to left adverse yaw and left-turning tendencies, such as P-factor.
      • Maintain smooth application of flight control pressures and continuous coordination.
  7. To recover, maintain the heading while decreasing the pitch attitude, allowing the airplane to accelerate while maintaining the last altitude attained.
    • Maintain smooth application of flight control pressures and continuous coordination.
  8. As cruise airspeed is attained, set cruise power..
    • Re-trim as necessary.
  9. Complete cruise checklist.
Chandelle

Chandelle Common Errors

  • Failure to adequately clear the area.
    • Clear the maneuvering area before entry, including the flightpath above and below the planned maneuver.
      • Continue scanning during the maneuver and discontinue if traffic, terrain, or cloud clearance becomes uncertain.
  • Too shallow an initial bank, resulting in a stall.
    • Establish the planned initial bank before progressively increasing pitch.
      • Monitor the decreasing airspeed so an overly slow turn does not lead to an excessive pitch attitude or a stall.
  • Too steep an initial bank, resulting in failure to gain maximum performance.
    • Use the planned bank, normally about 30°, rather than making a steep turn.
      • Maintain the intended climbing flightpath instead of diverting excessive lift into the turn.
  • Allowing the bank angle to increase after establishing initial bank angle.
    • Hold the initial bank constant through the first 90°.
      • Anticipate the increasing overbanking tendency as airspeed decreases.
  • Failure to start the recovery at the 90° point in the turn.
    • Begin a smooth rollout at the 90° reference while holding the pitch attitude reached there.
      • Brief the reference before entry so the second phase begins at the correct point.
  • Allowing the pitch attitude to increase as the bank is rolled out during the second 90° of turn.
    • Hold the selected pitch attitude during the second 90°.
      • Adjust elevator pressure as airspeed decreases without allowing the nose to rise farther.
  • Leveling the wings before the 180° point is reached.
    • Match the rollout rate to the remaining heading change.
      • Reach wings-level flight at the 180° reference rather than flattening the turn early.
  • Pitch attitude is low on recovery resulting in airspeed well above stall speed.
    • Plan the pitch increase during the first half to finish at the intended minimum controllable airspeed without stalling.
      • Assess an overly fast finish during the debrief rather than adding an abrupt late pitch correction.
  • Application of flight control pressures is not smooth.
    • Apply gradual, coordinated pressure changes as control effectiveness changes.
      • Anticipate the next phase instead of making abrupt corrections at each reference point.
  • Poor flight control coordination (slipping or skidding).
    • Coordinate aileron and rudder throughout entry, the turn, and rollout.
      • Adjust rudder pressure as airspeed and power change rather than holding a fixed pedal position.
  • Stalling at any point during the maneuver.
    • Monitor stall cues and preserve control throughout the maneuver.
      • If a stall develops, discontinue the chandelle and apply the aircraft-specific stall recovery immediately.
  • Execution of a steep turn instead of a climbing maneuver.
    • Establish the climbing pitch change and recommended power after setting the initial bank.
      • Use the 90° reference to verify that the maneuver is developing as a climb rather than a level steep turn.
  • Failure to scan for other aircraft.
    • Maintain an active outside traffic scan while dividing attention among the maneuver references.
      • Use brief instrument checks so traffic surveillance does not stop while correcting altitude or airspeed.
  • Performing by reference to the instruments rather than visual references.
    • Use the natural horizon and selected outside references for this visual maneuver.
      • Cross-check the instruments briefly to confirm performance, then return attention outside.
  • Beginning without the recommended entry speed, configuration, or power setting.
    • Complete the maneuver setup using the aircraft flight manual and applicable training standard.
      • Check configuration, available altitude, and engine limits before committing to the climbing turn.
Chandelle

Chandelle Interactive Scenario

Training scenario for Chandelle.

The Chandelle Before the Ridge

Manage a chandelle lesson as wind, entry energy, bank, pitch, coordination, turbulence, and terrain challenge the maximum-performance Climbing turn.

15 DecisionsPrivate PilotChandelleConsequence-BasedRetry and Debrief
Decision 1
0%

Scenario Complete

Chandelle

Chandelle Knowledge Check

Choose the knowledge check that matches your current training for Chandelle.

Private Pilot quiz illustration Private Pilot

PPL knowledge check

Core Knowledge Review

Review foundational knowledge, key concepts, and practical considerations. Topic: Chandelle.

  • Immediate feedback
  • Answer explanations
  • Account progress tracking

Why Take a Quiz?

Quizzes reinforce key concepts, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence for real-world decisions. Quiz material is representative of the information provided here and is not based on or sourced from the Federal Aviation Administration test bank.

Chandelle

Chandelle Conclusion

Chandelle

Chandelle References