Commercial Pilot for Airplane Category › V. Performance Maneuvers and Ground Reference Maneuvers › Task B. Steep Spiral (ASEL, ASES)

CA.V.B.S3

Skill

Establish and maintain a steep spiral, not to exceed 60° angle of bank, to maintain a constant radius about a suitable ground reference point.

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Study note

Get a short, cited explanation of this element written from the FAA handbooks: the core idea, the numbers that matter, common test traps, and a quick self-check.

From the FAA library

Airplane Flying Handbook p. 10-4
Chapter 10: Performance Maneuvers › Steep Spiral
Figure 10-2. Steep spiral. The steep spiral is initiated by properly clearing the airspace for air traffic and hazards. In general, the throttle is closed to idle, carburetor heat is applied if equipped, and gliding speed is established. Once ... proper airspeed is attained, the pitch should be lowered and the airplane rolled to the desired bank angle as the reference point is reached. The pilot should consider the distance from the reference point since that establishes the turning radius…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 7-5
Chapter 7: Ground Reference Maneuvers › Drift and Ground Track Control › Tracking Over and Parallel to a Straight Line
necessary to increase or decrease the angle of bank, which increases or decreases the rate of turn, to achieve the desired constant radius track over the ground. Ground reference maneuvers should always be entered from a downwind position. This allows ... pilot to establish the steepest bank angle required to maintain a constant radius ground track. If the bank is too steep, the pilot should immediately exit the maneuver and re-establish a lateral position that is further from the ground…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 10-2
Chapter 10: Performance Maneuvers › Steep Turns
While performing a steep turn, a significant component of yaw is experienced as motion away from and toward the earth's surface, which may seem confusing when first experienced. Before starting any practice maneuver, the pilot ensures that the area ... clear of air traffic and other hazards. Further, distant references should be chosen to allow the pilot to assess when to begin rollout from the turn. After establishing the manufacturer’s recommended entry speed, VA, or VO, as applicable…
Airplane Flying Handbook p. 7-8
Chapter 7: Ground Reference Maneuvers › Turns Around a Point
Figure 7-5. Turns around a point. When performing a turn around a point, the pilot should select a prominent, ground-based reference that is easily distinguishable yet small enough to present a precise reference. The pilot should enter ... maneuver downwind, where the groundspeed is at its fastest, at the appropriate radius of turn and distance from the selected ground-based reference point. In a high-wing airplane, the lowered wing may block the view of the ground reference…