Level Turns

 

As the name implies, a level turn involves a change in course at constant altitude.  There are a few points of which you should be aware.

 

All turns should be coordinated.  That means rudder is applied in a degree appropriate to the turn.  Note that there is a little all in a curved tube of fluid.  In a coordinated turn, this ball should remain at the bottom of the curved tube.  If the ball is not in this position, apply rudder to the side to which the ball is deflect. An easy way to remember this is to “Step on the Ball”.

 

Although there are a significant number of exceptions, most turns are done with an angle of bank roughly equal to 30^o.  At this angle of bank, the horizon will appear at a 30^o angle (Surprise! Surprise!).  In a Cessna 172, the wing strut on the inside of the turn will also appear parallel with the ground. 

 

Turns occur because the aircraft is rotated about the longitudinal axis (the line from the propeller to the tail).  When this is done, lift that used to support the aircraft is now used to turn the aircraft.  This results in there not being enough lift to maintain level flight.  We need to get more lift by increasing backpressure.  Conversely, when you roll out from a level turn the aircraft will have a tendency to initiate a climb.  This is countered by decreasing backpressure.

 

Next you will quickly note that turning to the left requires less rudder that turning to the right.  The aircraft has a natural left turning tendency, so it is easier to turn in that direction.

 

After that you will see that level turns to the left and to the right look very much different.  Turning to the right, most of the cowl is below the horizon, while to the left it is mostly above the horizon.

 

Let us define a point at the front of the cowl where the surface goes from vertical (the side) to horizontal (the top).  We can even put a piece of electrical tape at this point as a reference marker.  In turns to the left and to the right, this reference point should appear slightly below the horizon.  If you do level turns correctly, you can just walk this reference mark around the horizon.

 

Remember:

(1)   A level turn will require an increase in backpressure on the elevator to maintain altitude. (2)   Rolling out from a level turn will require a decrease in backpressure on the elevator. (3)   A turn requires input to all three controls: aileron, rudder and elevator. (4)   Right turns need more right rudder than left turns need left rudder. (5)   Left turns and right turns look nothing alike. (6)   Use a reference point on the cowl as an aid to making level turns.