A flight instructor explains the objective of a chandelle to a commercial pilot applicant. Which statement best describes this maneuver?
- AA 360° turn performed at increasing bank angle to develop proficiency in recovering from unusual attitudes
- BA continuous S-shaped climbing maneuver used to gain altitude while maintaining coordinated flight at cruise airspeed
- CA maximum-performance 180° climbing turn that ends at a heading opposite entry with airspeed slightly above stall speed
- DA steep, descending turn used to lose altitude rapidly while maintaining a constant radius over a ground reference point
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. A maximum-performance 180° climbing turn that ends at a heading opposite entry with airspeed slightly above stall speed
A chandelle is a maximum-performance climbing turn that combines a 180° change of direction with a maximum gain in altitude, entered at maneuvering speed and completed with the airplane just above stall speed, wings level, on a heading exactly opposite the entry heading. It develops coordination and the ability to fly at the edges of the airplane's performance envelope.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Chandelles are not primarily an unusual attitude recovery exercise.
- B. This describes a lazy eight, not a chandelle, which does not maintain constant cruise airspeed.
- D. This describes a steep spiral, a descending maneuver, not a climbing one.
Chandelle
A maximum-performance 180° climbing turn that maximizes altitude gain while the airplane rolls out wings-level, on the opposite heading, at an airspeed just above stall.
- Entry at maneuvering speed (Va)
- 180° direction change with maximum altitude gain
- Completed just above stalling speed, wings level
Memory trick: Chandelle = 'climb and turn, end near stall, opposite direction.'