How to Perform Level, Climbing, and Descending Turns in a Flight Simulator (Cessna 172 Tutorial Pt-5)
This tutorial is designed to teach flight simulator pilots how how to perform turns either level turns, climbing turns, and descending turns in a Cessna 172 or any aircraft. Large or small learning how to perform turns is a basic skill set and we will guide you in this continuing series on flying realistically. In this part we focus on achieving coordinated flight, avoiding adverse yaw, and understanding the dangers of uncoordinated flight at high power or low airspeeds.
Disclaimer: This tutorial is intended for flight simulator use only. If you wish to apply these techniques in real-world aviation, always consult a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI).
Understanding the Basics How to Perform Turns
Turning an aircraft involves coordinated use of all three control surfaces:
- Ailerons (via the yoke): Roll the aircraft into and out of a turn.
- Rudder (via pedals): Yaw the aircraft to maintain coordination and counter adverse yaw.
- Elevator (via the yoke): Maintain altitude or control pitch during climbing or descending turns.
1. How to Perform a Level Turn
A level turn maintains constant altitude while changing the aircraft’s heading.
Steps for a Level Turn in a Cessna 172
- Establish Straight and Level Flight:
- Ensure the aircraft is trimmed properly and airspeed is steady (e.g., ~90-100 knots for practice).
- Bank the Aircraft:
- Gently turn the yoke left or right to bank the aircraft, aiming for a shallow to medium bank angle (15°-30°).
- Add Rudder to Maintain Coordination:
- Apply rudder in the direction of the turn (left rudder for left turn, right rudder for right turn) to counter adverse yaw.
What Is Adverse Yaw?
Adverse yaw occurs when the upward-deflecting aileron on the descending wing creates more drag than the downward-deflecting aileron on the ascending wing. This drag causes the nose to yaw in the opposite direction of the turn, making the aircraft uncoordinated. It can occur if flight is not coordinated so it’s imperative to lean how to perform turns smoothly and be conscious of maintaining the ball in the centre. It will save your life!
- Why Coordination Is Important:
- An uncoordinated turn feels sloppy and inefficient.
- In severe cases, uncoordinated flight can lead to stalls, especially at low speeds or high angles of attack, increasing the risk of a spin.
- Maintain Altitude:
- Pull back slightly on the yoke to counteract the loss of vertical lift due to the bank.
- Monitor Instruments:
- Keep the turn coordinator ball centered by adjusting rudder pressure.
- Cross-check the altimeter to ensure altitude is steady.
- Roll Out of the Turn:
- Smoothly turn the yoke back to neutral and adjust rudder input to straighten the aircraft.
2. Climbing Turn
A climbing turn combines altitude gain with a change in heading and requires careful coordination due to higher power settings, increased yaw, and reduced airspeed.
Steps for a Safe Climbing Turn
- Establish a Climb:
- Increase throttle to full power.
- Pitch to achieve the best rate of climb speed (VYV_Y), which is ~74 knots for a Cessna 172.
- Bank into the Turn:
- Gradually roll the yoke to initiate a shallow bank (10°-15°). Steeper banks in a climb are less efficient and may reduce climb performance.
- Use Rudder for Coordination:
- Apply rudder to counteract the additional yaw caused by the increased power setting.
- Monitor the turn coordinator to keep the ball centered.
- Monitor Airspeed:
- Be vigilant about airspeed during climbing turns. Lower airspeeds increase the risk of a stall, particularly if the aircraft is uncoordinated.
Avoiding Yaw-Induced Stalls
- During a climbing turn, excess yaw can create uneven airflow over the wings, causing one wing to stall before the other. This can lead to a spin, a potentially fatal scenario in real-world aviation.
- Always keep the ball centered in the turn coordinator and make small, smooth inputs.
- Exit the Turn Smoothly:
- Roll the yoke back to level while simultaneously reducing rudder pressure.
3. Descending Turn
A descending turn combines a controlled descent with a change in heading. This maneuver is typically less risky than climbing turns but still requires proper coordination.
Steps for a Controlled Descending Turn
- Reduce Power:
- Gradually reduce throttle to begin a descent, typically at a rate of 500 FPM.
- Bank the Aircraft:
- Roll the yoke left or right to initiate a shallow to medium bank (15°-30°).
- Use Rudder for Coordination:
- Apply rudder in the direction of the turn to counter adverse yaw.
- Monitor the ball in the turn coordinator to ensure it stays centered.
- Maintain a Safe Airspeed:
- Adjust pitch as needed to prevent the descent rate from increasing too rapidly.
- Descend at a speed appropriate for your configuration (e.g., ~90 knots for practice).
- Level Out:
- When reaching your desired altitude and heading, gradually roll the yoke back to level and adjust power to maintain straight and level flight.
Key Concepts for Safe Turning in a Simulator
- Coordination is Critical:
- Always monitor the turn coordinator or slip/skid indicator. A centered ball indicates coordinated flight.
- If the ball is left of center, apply left rudder. If it’s right of center, apply right rudder.
- Avoid Steep Banks at Low Airspeeds:
- Steep turns at low airspeeds increase the risk of a stall-spin. Keep climbing turns shallow (10°-15° bank).
- Trim Effectively:
- Use the trim wheel to reduce control pressures in long turns, climbs, or descents.
- Practice Adverse Yaw Awareness:
- Practice turns without rudder input to observe the effects of adverse yaw. Then repeat with proper rudder coordination to appreciate the difference.
- Power Settings Matter:
- High power increases left-turning tendencies (P-factor, torque, and slipstream). Compensate with right rudder in climbs.
- Reduced power decreases these tendencies but still requires coordination to avoid skids.
Practice Exercises for Flight Sim Pilots
- Basic Turns:
- Practice 90° level turns at 15° and 30° bank angles while keeping the ball centered.
- Climbing Turns:
- Combine a 500 FPM climb with a 90° turn. Monitor airspeed and coordination carefully.
- Descending Turns:
- Reduce power to descend at 500 FPM while executing a 180° turn. Maintain control and coordination.
- Emergency Recovery Practice:
- Simulate an uncoordinated climbing turn to understand the importance of rudder input. Recover promptly to avoid stalls.
Conclusion
Turning an aircraft safely and effectively requires a deep understanding of the interplay between ailerons, rudder, and elevator. Properly managing adverse yaw and maintaining coordinated flight are crucial for avoiding dangerous situations like yaw-induced stalls and spins.
By practicing these techniques in a flight simulator, you’ll not only enhance your skills but also develop habits that mirror real-world aviation procedures. Remember, this guide is for simulator use only, and a QFI should always be consulted for real-world application. Safe flying!
Next, we will learn about Entering the pattern & Landing Safely Pt 7 in this series.
Author
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.
He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.
Learn More @ DreamingGuitar.com – DreamingCoffee.com – LetsFlyVFR.com
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