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Steep Spirals

Emergencies happen—but a well-flown steep spiral turns that urgency into opportunity. This maneuver challenges a pilot to manage wind, glide performance, and ground reference simultaneously while descending with precision. Master it, and you’ll discover how disciplined energy management can turn a stressful situation into a controlled plan back to the runway.

Steep Spirals

Introduction to Steep Spirals

  • Steep Spirals simulate an emergency situation where an aircraft is required to descend as rapidly as possible to a forced landing
  • Additionally, steep spirals improve pilot technique for power off turns, wind drift control, planning, orientation, and division of attention

  • 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).
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Steep Spirals

Steep Spiral Purpose

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Steep Spirals

Steep Spiral Procedure

  1. Select an altitude where recovery will occur no lower than 1,500' AGL and a descent will be no more than 2,000' total..
  2. Brief all passengers.
    • Let passengers know what you are doing, to buckle up and secure all objects and how to avoid pressurization build up.
    • Tell them to let you know if they have any problems.
  3. Determine wind direction.
  4. Perform clearing turns.
  5. Select a reference point in an area where an emergency landing can be made if necessary.
  6. Generally, enter on downwind.
    • Fly almost directly over the reference point.
  7. Approaching the reference point:
    • Enrichen the mixture.
  8. Abeam the reference point:
    • Reduce the throttle to idle.
    • Roll into a steep bank (not to exceed 60°).
      • It is recommended to turn toward the side the pilot is sitting (left turn if in left seat).
    • Maintain a constant radius.
    • Adjust pitch to maintain best glide or other specified airspeed (± 10 knots).
  9. As the wind direction changes in the spiral, adjust bank angle to maintain a constant radius around the reference point.
    • Clear the engine on the upwind legs every turn.
  10. Turning upwind, clear the engine every 360°.
    • Operating the engine at idle speed for prolonged periods may result in excessive engine cooling or spark plug fouling.
    • Check engine operation during the glide by "clearing" the engine on every upwind (to minimize any variation in ground-speed and turn radius).
  11. Conduct a series of at least three 360° turns.
  12. Roll out toward an object or entry/specified heading (± 10°) and set cruise power.
    • Maintain best glide or other specified airspeed (± 10 knots).
    • Trim as necessary.
    • Complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet AGL unless combining the maneuver with an Emergency Approach and Landing.
  13. Complete the cruise Flow/Checklist.
Steep Spirals

Steep Spirals Common Errors

  • Failure to adequately clear the area
  • Excessive pitch change during entry or recovery
  • Attempts to start recovery prematurely
  • Failure to stop the turn on a precise heading
  • Excessive rudder during recovery, resulting in skidding
  • Inadequate power management and airspeed control
  • Attempting to perform the maneuver by instrument reference rather than visual reference
  • Poor coordination, resulting in skidding and/or slipping
  • Inadequate wind drift correct
  • Failure to coordinate the controls, so that no increase/decrease in speed results when straight glide is resumed
  • Failure to scan for other traffic
  • Failure to maintain orientation
Steep Spirals

Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards

  • Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards:

    • Not applicable.

  • Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards:

    Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Knowledge:

    The applicant demonstrates an understanding of:

    • CA.V.B.K1:

      Relationship to emergency landing procedures.

    • CA.V.B.K2:

      Maintaining a constant radius about a point.

    • CA.V.B.K3:

      Effects of wind on ground track and relation to a ground reference.

    Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Risk Management:

    The applicant is able to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with:

    • CA.V.B.R1:

      Division of attention between aircraft control and orientation.

    • CA.V.B.R2:

      Collision hazards.

    • CA.V.B.R3:

      Low altitude maneuvering, including stall, spin, or controlled flight into terrain (CFIT).

    • CA.V.B.R4:

      Distractions, improper task management, loss of situational awareness, or disorientation.

    • CA.V.B.R5:

      Uncoordinated flight.

    • CA.V.B.R6:

      Effects of wind.

    • CA.V.B.R7:

      Airframe or airspeed limitations.

    Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Skills:

    The applicant exhibits the skills to:

    • CA.V.B.S1:

      Clear the area.

    • CA.V.B.S2:

      Select an altitude sufficient to continue through a series of at least three, 360° turns.

    • CA.V.B.S3:

      Establish and maintain a steep spiral, not to exceed 60° angle of bank, to maintain a constant radius about a suitable ground reference point.

    • CA.V.B.S4:

      Apply wind-drift correction to track a constant radius circle around selected reference point with bank not to exceed 60° a steepest point in turn.

    • CA.V.B.S5:

      Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.

    • CA.V.B.S6:

      Maintain the specified airspeed, ±10 knots and roll out toward an object or specified heading, ±10°, and complete the maneuver no lower than 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL).
Steep Spirals

Steep Spirals Conclusion

  • The difference between a spin and a steep spiral is with a steep spiral, the aircraft is not stalled.
  • Remain mindful that performance calculations are usually more optimistic than actual performance
  • Operating the engine at idle speed for prolonged periods may result in excessive engine cooling or spark plug fouling
  • Check engine operation during the glide by "clearing" the engine on every upwind (to minimize any variation in groundspeed and turn radius
  • This maneuver may be combined with simulated emergency approach and landing
  • Consider actual versus realized performance when doing any performance calculations
  • Consider practicing maneuvers on a flight simulator to introduce yourself to maneuvers or knock off rust
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Steep Spirals

Steep Spirals References