FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Flight Maneuvers and EndorsementsMedium
A flight instructor is briefing a commercial pilot applicant on chandelle entry parameters. According to the Commercial Pilot ACS, what is the maximum bank angle that should be used at the entry of a chandelle?
- A60°
- B45°
- C15°
- D30°
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 30°
The chandelle is entered with a bank angle of approximately 30°, which is held constant while the pilot simultaneously increases pitch, so that maximum performance is achieved at the 90° point without exceeding a safe angle of bank.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 60° would produce excessive load factor and is not the chandelle standard.
- B. 45° is used for steep turns, not the chandelle entry bank angle.
- C. 15° is too shallow to achieve the intended turning performance for the maneuver.
Chandelle Entry Bank Angle
A maximum-performance climbing turn entered at approximately 30° of bank, which is maintained constant through the first 90° of turn while pitch is increased.
- Bank angle held at ~30° throughout the maneuver
- Bank begins decreasing after the 90° point while pitch remains at maximum
- Airspeed should reach just above stall speed at completion (180°)
Memory trick: Chandelle = 'thirty and steady' bank while pitch climbs.