Turns Around a Point

OBJECTIVE: To develop the pilot’s ability to subconsciously control the airplane while dividing attention between the flight path and ground references, and scanning for other traffic. 

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ELEMENTS

• How to select a suitable altitude 
  
• How to select suitable ground reference points with consideration given to emergency landing areas 
  
• Orientation, division of attention, and planning 
  
• Configuration and airspeed prior to entry 
  
• Entry procedure 
  
• Wind drift correction 
  
• How to maintain desired altitude, airspeed, and distance from reference point 
  
• Coordination of flight controls 
  

• COMPLETION STANDARDS
  
• Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to turns around a point 
  
• Selects a suitable ground reference point 
  
• Plans the maneuver so as to enter left or right at 600 to 1,000 feet AGL, at an appropriate distance from the reference point 
  
• Applies adequate wind-drift correction to track a constant radius turn around the selected reference point 
  
• Divides attention between airplane control and the ground track while maintaining coordinated flight 
  
• Maintains altitude, ±100 feet; maintains airspeed, ±10 knots 
  

COMMON ERRORS

• Failure to clear the area 
  
• Faulty entry procedure 
  
• Poor planning, orientation, or division of attention 
  
• Uncoordinated flight control application 
  
• Improper correction for wind drift 
  
• Failure to maintain selected altitude or airspeed 
  
• Selection of a ground reference point without an emergency landing area within gliding distance 
  
• Pilot attempts to perform pylon eight, with the reference point at the same point on the wing 
  
• Not varying rate of change of bank angle, causing variations in distance from point 
  

• THINGS TO REMEMBER
  
• How this relates to 360° turns on downwind for spacing. 
  
• Steepest bank is directly downwind, shallowest bank is directly upwind 
  

STUDY

• “Airplane Flying Handbook” Ch. 6
  

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Turns Around a Point Procedure

Compete the "Pre Maneuver" Checklist (the 1,500agl rule can be disregarded for ground reference maneuvers)
Descend between 600-1000ft agl and slow the aircraft to 85kts. 
Select a prominent point and maneuver the aircraft to enter on a downwind leg to one side of the selected point
Once abeam the point, roll into the steepest intended bank immediately 
Gradually vary the bank angle to maintain a fixed distance from the point
You can expect the bank to be shallowest when abeam the point on the upwind side
To complete the maneuver you must fly at least 2 or more complete circles around the point while maintaining altitude 
Exit the maneuver on the downwind leg (where entry was made) and resume normal cruise by climbing and reconfiguring the aircraft as required