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
- Set fuel selector to BOTH or the fullest tank
- Set the mixture control, as required
- Note your initial heading and the heading you wish to roll out on to perform the next maneuver
- Pick a reference point 90-180° to your left or right
- You may have to base your initial direction off any airspace restrictions you may have
- If there are no airspace restrictions, consider turning to the left first as overtaking aircraft will pass on the right
- 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)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- There are no specific numbers to hit on how far you must turn, etc. for a clearing turn to be acceptible
- It is, instead, pilot judgement on what is acceptable to call the area cleared
- As stated above, clearing turns may need to be made to a specific direction for a reason however, consider clearing turns to the left first
- This ensures that if anyone is passing to the right in accordance with right-of-way guidelines, you and them remain clear of one another
- Remain mindful that performance calculations are usually more optimistic than performance in reality
- See also: Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance
- Consider practicing maneuvers on a flight simulator to introduce yourself to maneuvers or knock off rust
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References
References