Student:_____________________
Date Completed:________________
Private Pilot Flight Training
Turns Around A Point
Objective:
To develop the pilot's ability to subconsciously control the airplane while dividing attention between the
flightpath and ground references, and scanning for other traffic.
Elements:
1. How to select a suitable altitude.
2. How to select a suitable ground reference point with suitable to emergency landing areas.
3. Orientation, division of attention, and planning.
4. Configuration and airspeed prior to entry.
5. Entry technique.
6. Wind drift correction.
7. How to maintain desired altitude, airspeed, and distance from reference point.
8. Coordination of flight controls.
Schedule:
Preflight Discussion
0:15
Demonstration and Student Practice
0:30
Postflight Discussion
0:15
All Times Dependent on Pilot's Ability
Equipment:
Aircraft
Drawing Surface and Marking Utensil
Instructor's Actions:
Student's Actions:
PREFLIGHT:
PREFLIGHT:
 Discuss lesson objective.
 Discuss lesson objective
 Listens and takes notes.
 Discuss common student errors in performing the
maneuver.
 Resolves Questions.
INFLIGHT:
 Discuss the FAA's emphasis on safety including collision
 Reviews maneuvers.
avoidance and division of attention.
INFLIGHT:
 Pays attention and asks questions.
 Demonstrate the maneuver.
 Practices maneuver as directed.
 Coach student practice.
 Answers questions posed by instructor.
 Evaluate student understanding of maneuver.
POSTFLIGHT:
POSTFLIGHT:
 Ask pertinent questions.
 Critique student performance.
 Answers questions posed by instructor.
 Answer student questions.
 Critiques own performance.
 Assign homework for next lesson.
 Completes assigned homework.
Private Pilot Flight Training
Completion Standards: FAA-S-8081-14AS (Private PTS, VI., C., 1-6)
1. Exhibits knowledge of the elements related to turns around a point.
2. Selects a suitable ground reference point.
3. 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.
4. Applies adequate wind-drift correction to track a constant radius turn around the selected reference
point.
5. Applies adequate wind-drift correction to track a constant radius turn around the selected reference
point.
6. Maintains altitude, ±100 feet (30 meters); maintains airspeed, ±10 knots.
Common Errors: FAA-H-8083-3A (Chapter 6-9)
1. Failure to adequately clear the area.
2. Failure to establish appropriate bank on entry.
3. Failure to recognize wind drift.
4. Excessive bank and / or inadequate wind correction angle on the downwind side of the circle resulting in
drift towards the reference point.
5. Inadequate bank angle and / or excessive wind correction angle on the upwind side of the circle resulting
in drift away from the reference point.
6. Skidding turns when turning from downwind to crosswind.
7. Slipping turns when turning from upwind to crosswind.
8. Gaining or losing altitude.
9. Inadequate visual lookout for other aircraft.
10. Inability to direct attention outside the airplane while maintaining precise airplane control.
References:
FAA-H-8083-3A (Chapter 6-8)
FAA-S-8081-14AS (Private PTS, VI., C., 1-6)
Things to Remember:
How this related to 360 turns on downwind for spacing
Other options instead of turns?
Private Pilot Flight Training
Turns Around A Point:
DESCRIPTION:
 Select an altitude of 1000’ AGL.
Note: altitudes as low as 600’ AGL may be used by the instructor for demonstration purposes.
 Select a small but prominent reference point that is close to a that is close to a suitable place to land in
case of an emergency.
 Perform Pre-maneuver Checklist.
 Clear the area.
1. Establish normal pattern airspeed ~90 knots (1700 RPM) and enter the maneuver approximately
downwind so that the initial bank angle is approximately 45 o.
2. Adjust bank angle and wind Correction Angle, as necessary, to correct for the effects of wind and to
maintain ca constant radius around the reference pinot.
 Plan to depart on the entry heading after two turns and reverse course, unless otherwise instructed.
Turns around a point