Steep Spiral Procedure:
WARNING:
All procedures are GENERALIZED.
Always fly per Pilot Operating Handbook procedures,
observing any relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Select an altitude where recovery will occur no lower than 1,500' AGL and a descent will be no more than 2,000'
- 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 speed
- 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
- Complete the maneuver on entry heading and set cruise power
- Trim as necessary
- Recover above 1500' 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
Airman Certification Standards:
Conclusion:
- Remain mindful that performance calculations are usually more optimistic than performance in reality
- 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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