Steep Spirals
Steep Spirals improve pilot technique for power off turns, wind drift control, planning, orientation, and division of attention.
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).
Steep Spirals Key Highlights
- Steep turns are coordinated turning maneuvers performed at high bank angles to develop aircraft control precision and situational awareness.
- Steep turns typically involve bank angles of approximately 45 degrees while maintaining constant altitude, airspeed, and coordination.
- Increased bank angle raises load factor and requires additional back pressure to maintain altitude during the maneuver.
- Steep turns increase induced drag and may require additional power to maintain airspeed and aircraft performance.
- Pilots must divide attention between outside visual references and flight instruments throughout the maneuver.
- Smooth and coordinated control inputs are essential to prevent excessive altitude, airspeed, or heading deviations.
- Overbanking tendencies increase as bank angle increases, requiring proper aileron control during the maneuver.
- Steep turns improve pilot understanding of load factor, turning performance, and aircraft energy management.
- Improper coordination or excessive angle of attack during steep turns can increase stall risk.
- Understanding steep turns improves aircraft control proficiency, maneuver coordination, and overall flight safety.
Steep Spiral Purpose
- The steep spiral maneuver provides an option from which to make a rapid descent from higher altitude, noteably when experiencing an emergency situation. []
Steep Spiral Procedure
- Select an altitude where recovery will occur no lower than 1,500' AGL and a descent will be no more than 2,000' total.
- 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.
- Determine wind direction.
- Perform clearing turns.
- Select a reference point in an area where an emergency landing can be made if necessary.
- Generally, enter on downwind.
- Fly almost directly over the reference point.
- Approaching the reference point:
- Enrichen the mixture.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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).
- Conduct a series of at least three 360° turns.
- 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.
- Complete the cruise Flow/Checklist.
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 Airman Certification Standards
-
Private Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards:
- Not applicable.
-
Commercial Pilot (Airplane) Steep Spirals Airman Certification Standards:
- Objective: To determine whether the applicant exhibits satisfactory knowledge, risk management, and skills associated with steep spirals.
- Note: See Appendix 3: Aircraft, Equipment, and Operational Requirements & Limitations for information related to this Task.
- References: FAA-H-8083-2 (Risk Management Handbook), FAA-H-8083-3 (Airplane Flying Handbook), FAA-H-8083-25 (Pilot Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge); POH/AFM.
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 Knowledge Check
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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