How to fly the maneuver

Steep turns are a visual maneuver flown to the manufacturer's recommended airspeed at approximately 45° of bank (Private Pilot — FAA-S-ACS-6C, V.A.S3), executed in both directions, while holding altitude, airspeed, bank, and heading inside the ACS tolerance window. The maneuver tests your ability to manage three competing inputs — pitch, bank, and power — while keeping your eyes mostly outside.

Note for students cross-referencing other materials: the Commercial Pilot Airplane ACS uses 50° bank, not 45°. Make sure any source you read specifies which certificate.

Press Play to see the steep turn flight path — entry, sustained 45° bank, lead-out, and rollout phases as you'll fly them on the checkride.

Setup

Before you roll in:

• Climb to a safe maneuvering altitude — at least 1,500 ft AGL for recovery from a stall, and high enough that the lowest point of the maneuver stays above 1,500 ft. Most flight schools use 3,000–4,000 ft AGL.
• Perform clearing turns — typically two 90° turns or one 180° — scanning above, below, and on both sides for traffic.
• Establish the entry airspeed from the POH (commonly the same as cruise or just below VA at current weight).
• Set cruise power for that airspeed.
• Pick a prominent visual reference on the horizon directly off the nose. You'll roll out on this reference.
• Note the entry heading and entry altitude — these are what the ACS measures against.

Entry

1. Roll smoothly and coordinated toward 45° of bank using aileron and rudder together.
2. As bank passes about 30°, begin adding back pressure to keep the nose on its pitch reference. The vertical component of lift drops as bank steepens; back pressure compensates.
3. As bank approaches 40°–45°, add a small power increment (typically 100–200 RPM in a fixed-pitch single, or about 1 inch of manifold pressure in a constant-speed installation). Induced drag rises with load factor.
4. Lock the pitch reference against the horizon. The nose should appear to ride a fixed point on the horizon as the airplane sweeps around.

During the turn

• Scan: outside for the pitch reference and traffic; inside for altitude (±100 ft), bank (±5°), and airspeed (±10 KIAS). Most attention stays outside.
• Pitch trim: hold what you've got — don't try to retrim mid-maneuver. The back pressure you established at entry should be steady.
• Bank discipline: the airplane will tend to overbank in a steep turn (the outer wing flies faster and generates more lift). Counter with a small amount of opposite aileron to hold 45°.
• Coordination: the ball stays centered. If you feel yourself sliding outward (skidding) or inward (slipping), correct with rudder.

Roll-out

Lead the roll-out by approximately half the bank angle. At 45° of bank, begin rolling out about 22° before the entry heading.

1. Smoothly release back pressure as bank decreases.
2. Reduce the power increment you added.
3. Coordinated aileron + rudder to wings level.
4. Wings should level with the heading indicator on the entry heading (ACS allows ±10°).
5. Verify altitude is on the entry value (ACS allows ±100 ft).

Reverse direction

The ACS requires the maneuver in both directions (V.A.S4). Pause briefly at wings-level to confirm altitude and entry heading, then roll smoothly into a coordinated 45° bank in the opposite direction. Re-apply back pressure and power as bank passes 30° just as you did the first time.

Common pitfall on the reversal: pilots often carry over residual back pressure from the first turn and balloon up through wings-level. Relax pressure as bank decreases; re-apply it as the new bank builds.