Clearing Turns

Clearing turns are precautionary maneuvers meant to scan for other aircraft before conducting maneuvers.


Introduction

Introduction
  • Clearing turns are a critical step necessarily to mitigate collisions hazards with "aircraft, terrain, obstacles, and wires"
  • There are many different clearing procedures but the essential idea is to be certain that the maneuver to be performed is not going to proceed into another airplane's flightpath
    • Some pilot training programs have hard and fast rules, such as requiring two 90° turns in opposite directions before executing any training maneuver while other types may be developed by individual flight instructors
    • Whatever the preferred method, the flight instructor should teach the beginning student an effective clearing procedure and insist on its use
  • Most importantly, clearing turns allow you to see areas the airframe would have otherwise obstructed and make you more visible to pilots as you bank
  • While looking for other aircraft and hazards, it is crucial to maintain proper "see and avoid" techniques to assist
    • Remember, an aircraft on a collision course will appear relatively stationary which will break up in a turn
  • This may seem like a waste of fuel at times but the victims of mid-air collisions would beg to differ
  • Pilots are required to perform this maneuver within the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), as published by the FAA

Maneuvers and Procedures Disclaimer

Maneuvers and Procedures Disclaimer

WARNING:
All procedures are GENERALIZED.
Fly the maneuver in accordance with the Pilot Operating Handbook (POH)
and/or current Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)


Clearing Turns Procedure

Clearing Turns Procedure
  1. Set fuel selector to BOTH or the fullest tank
  2. Set the mixture control, as required
  3. Note your initial heading and the heading you wish to roll out on to perform the next maneuver
  4. Pick a reference point 90-180° to your left or right
  5. Perform a level turn at about 30° for 90-180° to put the nose of the aircraft on this point
    • Set power, as required
    • If flying a high-wing aircraft, raise your wing first, to clear that direction before turning
    • If flying a low-wing aircraft, apply common sense to bank angle if clearing below you is especially important for an upcoming maneuver (e.g., stalls)
  6. Look for other aircraft or hazards through the entire turn in ALL directions
    • This includes up and down, especially if you intend to do any maneuver which will require an excessive change in altitude
  7. Once the wings are leveled on your reference point, take another look around and then begin a turn for 90-180° back to the original heading or to the heading of the next maneuver
    • Throughout the entire turn, look in ALL directions
  8. Assuming no conflicting traffic is observed, complete appropriate checklist/commence the maneuver to be performed
    • If conflicting traffic is observed, deconflict over the radio as able or find a new working area

Clearing Turns Common Errors

Clearing Turns Common Errors
  • Gaining or loosing altitude
  • Poor coordination
  • Abrupt control usage
  • Inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft
  • Clearing only a small portion of sky due to short turns

Clearing Turns Airman Certification Standards

Clearing Turns Airman Certification Standards
  • Airman Certification Standards
    • There are no specific standards to perform clearing turns however, collision avoidance is a special emphasis item and considered critical to safety
    • Simply stated, it is not important how you do it, but that you do it, and do it effectively

Conclusion

Conclusion

References

References