Steep turns
Fly a coordinated 360° level turn at a 45° bank, holding altitude and airspeed, then roll out on the entry heading.
ACS Private ASEL (ACS IX.A): maintain 45° bank ±5°, altitude ±100 ft, airspeed ±10 kt, and roll out within ±10° of the entry heading, coordinated throughout.
Setup
- Clear the area with clearing turns and pick a prominent reference on the horizon.
- Set a safe entry altitude (at least 1,500 ft AGL) and the maneuvering airspeed and power. — Use the airplane's published steep-turn/maneuvering speed per POH/AFM — don't guess a number.
- Trim for level flight so you begin stable and hands-light.
Entry
- Roll smoothly toward 45° of bank.
- As bank passes ~30°, add back-pressure and a little power to hold altitude. — A 45° level turn pulls about 1.4 G; that added load is why both back-pressure and power are needed — and why stall speed rises.
Execution
- Hold 45° bank, using the horizon as your primary pitch cue; cross-check altimeter and VSI.
- Keep the ball centered with rudder — steep turns expose coordination errors.
- Correct altitude with small pitch/bank changes. — If you're losing altitude, shallow the bank a few degrees rather than just pulling — pulling harder at a steep bank drives AOA toward the critical angle (the accelerated-stall trap).
Completion
- Lead the rollout by about half the bank angle (~20°) before the entry heading.
- Roll out smoothly, releasing the back-pressure and extra power together.
- Return to level cruise and verify altitude and heading are within tolerances.
Common errors
- Fixating on instruments instead of using the outside horizon for pitch.
- Letting the nose drop and altitude wash off as bank increases.
- Uncoordinated flight — riding the ball off-center.
- Over-banking past 45° and then pulling harder, driving AOA toward an accelerated stall.
- Rolling out late and overshooting the entry heading.
A DPE might ask
- Why does stall speed increase in a steep turn?
- What load factor are you pulling at 45° of bank in level flight?
- What do you do if you feel the buffet mid-turn?
From the Right Seat
Set the bank, then look outside and 'paint' the cowling on the horizon. The altimeter is a cross-check, not the picture.
Safety
Feel the buffet? Reduce back-pressure and shallow the bank first — don't try to power out of it at a steep angle.