FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Flight Maneuvers and EndorsementsEasy
During turns around a point, a private pilot applicant should use the steepest bank angle when the airplane is headed:
- ADirectly into the wind (upwind)
- BAt the point farthest from the reference point
- CCrosswind, perpendicular to the wind
- DDirectly downwind
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Directly downwind
To maintain a constant radius around the point despite wind drift, the pilot must use the steepest bank where groundspeed is highest — directly downwind — and the shallowest bank where groundspeed is lowest — directly upwind.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is where the shallowest bank is required due to lowest groundspeed.
- B. The radius should remain constant, so there is no intentional farthest point.
- C. Crosswind positions require an intermediate, changing bank angle, not the steepest.
Turns Around a Point — Bank Variation
A ground reference maneuver requiring continuous bank adjustment to maintain a constant radius from a point on the ground despite wind drift.
- Steepest bank occurs downwind (highest groundspeed)
- Shallowest bank occurs upwind (lowest groundspeed)
- Bank angle changes continuously, never fixed
- Maintains a constant distance/altitude throughout
Memory trick: 'Downwind = dive the bank in steep, upwind = ease it back.'