Airplane Maneuvers - S-Turns Across a Road
| Objective: |
To develop in the student the ability to compensate for drift during turns, orient the flightpath with ground references, follow an assigned ground track, arrive at specified points on assigned headings, and divide the pilot’s attention. |
| Content: |
Before Flight:
- Review principles learned during Rectangular course
- Review applicable aircraft performance information
- Bank will be steepest downwind, and shallowest upwind during turns
- Constant altitude should be maintained throughout maneuver
- Aircraft should trace a perfect S over the ground if done correctly
- It helps to pick ground points at the 90° point in both turns that are the same distance from the straight-line reference as aiming points to fly over
During Flight:
- Select a straight ground reference line, such as a road, as close to perpendicular to the wind as possible
- Check area for obstructions or other aircraft
- Approach the road from upwind
- Begin a 180° turn so that the aircraft is flying perpendicular to the road in the opposite direction and wings are level as the aircraft crosses the road
- Immediately begin another 180° turn in the opposite direction so that the radius is the same as the first turn
See AFH C. 6-6
See AFH Figure 6-5 |
| Completion Standards: |
The lesson is complete when the student demonstrates knowledge through a written or oral exam and is able to perform s-turns to the satisfaction of the instructor and in accordance with the current Practical Test Standards for the student’s stage of training. |
Posted in CFI Lesson Plans |
