PERFORMANCE MANEUVERS

Performance maneuvers are used to develop a high
degree of pilot skill. They aid the pilot in analyzing the
forces acting on the airplane and in developing a fine
control touch, coordination, timing, and division of
attention for precise maneuvering of the airplane.
Performance maneuvers are termed "advanced"
maneuvers because the degree of skill required for
proper execution is normally not acquired until a pilot
has obtained a sense of orientation and control feel in
"normal" maneuvers. An important benefit of
performance maneuvers is the sharpening of
fundamental skills to the degree that the pilot can cope
with unusual or unforeseen circumstances occasionally
encountered in normal flight.

Advanced maneuvers are variations and/or
combinations of the basic maneuvers previously
learned. They embody the same principles and
techniques as the basic maneuvers, but require a higher
degree of skill for proper execution. The student,
therefore, who demonstrates a lack of progress in the
performance of advanced maneuvers, is more than
likely deficient in one or more of the basic maneuvers.

The flight instructor should consider breaking the
advanced maneuver down into its component basic
maneuvers in an attempt to identify and correct
the deficiency before continuing with the
advanced maneuver.

STEEP TURNS

The objective of the maneuver is to develop the
smoothness, coordination, orientation, division of
attention, and control techniques necessary for the
execution of maximum performance turns when the
airplane is near its performance limits. Smoothness of
control use, coordination, and accuracy of execution
are the important features of this maneuver.
The steep turn maneuver consists of a turn in either
direction, using a bank angle between 45 to 60°. This
will cause an overbanking tendency during which
maximum turning performance is attained and
relatively high load factors are imposed. Because of the
high load factors imposed, these turns should be
performed at an airspeed that does not exceed the
airplane's design maneuvering speed (VA). The
principles of an ordinary steep turn apply, but as a
practice maneuver the steep turns should be continued
until 360° or 720° of turn have been completed.