Chandelles - Ryan Binns

CAX (V-C) / CFI (IX-C)

Chandelles

Objective

To ensure the applicant understands the elements of the

chandelle maneuver and how to perform it properly.

Purpose

The purpose of the chandelle maneuver is to execute a 180

degree climbing turn with minimum turn radius. The

chandelle demonstrates the relationship between speed and

rate of turn, and the left-turning tendencies. Correctly

performing the chandelle maneuver demonstrates pilot

proficiency with accurately managing aircraft attitude,

maneuvering in slow flight near the stall, and compensating

for the left-turning tendencies.

Schedule

Equipment

● Ground Lesson : 15 minutes

● Initial

■ Flight 1 : 30 minutes - Introduction to Maneuver

■ Flight 2 : 30 minutes - Improve Proficiency (Dual)

● Solo

■ Flight 3 : 20 minutes - Improve Proficiency

● Pre-Checkride

■ Flight 4 : 20 minutes - Demonstrate Proficiency

● Debrief : 10 minutes ( per flight )

● n/a

Student Actions

Instructor Actions

● Ask any questions, receive study material for the next lesson.

● Watch linked video.

● Review listed references.

● Deliver the ground lesson (below).

● Demonstrate the maneuver in flight.

● Debrief after each flight.

Completion Standards

● Ground : Student can explain the purpose of the maneuver and how to execute it properly.

● Flight : Student can perform the maneuver to the applicable ACS standards.

● See expanded Completion Standards below.

Prepared by: Ryan Binns ( ryancbinns.com/flying ), December 2019

CAX (V-C) / CFI (IX-C)

References

● The UND AeroCast - Commercial Chandelles

○ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml8YI7oj2Q8

● FAA-H-8083-3B (Airplane Flying Handbook) - Chapter 9, Page 6 [Maneuver Description], Chapter 3, Page

12-14 [Turn Radius, Overbanking Tendency]

● FAA-H-8083-25B (Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge) - Chapter 5, Page 30-33 [Left Turning

Tendencies], Chapter 5, Page 41 [Turn Radius]

● FAA-S-ACS-7A (Commercial Pilot ACS) - Area V Task C

● FAA-S-8081-6D (CFI PTS) - Area IX Task C

Ground Lesson Outline

● What is a Chandelle?

○ Two phases

■ Constant Bank, Increasing Pitch

■ Constant Pitch, Decreasing Bank

● Rate of Turn vs. Airspeed

○ Less speed = Higher rate of turn for a given bank angle

● Left Turning Tendencies

○ Especially P-factor due to high Angle of Attack

● Safety considerations

○ Use of checklists

○ Visual traffic scanning

● Maneuver Description - step-by-step

○ Entry position, airspeed, etc.

● Expanded Completion Standards

Common Errors

● Not clearing the area

● Initial bank is too shallow resulting in a stall

● Initial bank is too steep resulting in failure to gain maximum performance

● Allowing the bank angle to increase after initial establishment

● Not starting the recovery at the 90° point in the turn

● Allowing the pitch attitude to increase as the bank is rolled out during the second 90° of turn

● Leveling the wings prior to the 180° point being reached

● Pitch attitude is low on recovery resulting in airspeed well above stall speed

● Application of flight control pressures is not smooth

● Poor flight control coordination

● Stalling at any point during the maneuver

● Execution of a steep turn instead of a climbing maneuver

● Not scanning for other traffic during the maneuver

● Performing by reference to the flight instruments rather than visual references

Prepared by: Ryan Binns ( ryancbinns.com/flying ), December 2019

CAX (V-C) / CFI (IX-C)

Ground Lesson Content

● What is a Chandelle? - The chandelle is a maximum performance 180 degree climbing turn that can

be broken down into two phases:

○ Phase 1 - Constant Bank, Increasing Pitch - Aircraft begins in normal cruise, below Va, banks

to 30 degrees, sets maximum available power, and increases pitch smoothly until the 90 degree

point of the turn.

○ Phase 2 - Constant Pitch, Decreasing Bank - Aircraft maintains a constant pitch angle while

smoothly reducing bank angle until the 180 degree point of the turn is reached, ending in slow

flight, just above stall speed. The aircraft then recovers to normal cruise.

● Rate of Turn vs Airspeed - This maneuver illustrates the concept that as airspeed decays and bank

angle remains the same, the rate of turn increases. As the bank angle is reduced in the second phase

of the maneuver, the rate of turn remains high due to the decreasing speed.

Prepared by: Ryan Binns ( ryancbinns.com/flying ), December 2019

CAX (V-C) / CFI (IX-C)

● Left Turning Tendencies - This maneuver also illustrates the increasing effects of left-turning

tendencies as airspeed decreases and angle of attack increases. Towards the end of the maneuver,

right rudder pressure will be significant. The amount of rudder pressure required varies between a

chandelle performed to the left and one performed to the right!

● Safety Considerations

○ Checklists - Pilots should complete a pre-maneuver checklist before beginning the maneuver.

○ Visual Traffic Scanning - Pilots must remember to keep up their traffic scan throughout the

maneuver.

Prepared by: Ryan Binns ( ryancbinns.com/flying ), December 2019

CAX (V-C) / CFI (IX-C)

Maneuver Description

● Entry Altitude - A chandelle should be started no lower than 1,500ft AGL, however it is important to

realize that a chandelle will result in a significant gain in altitude. An altitude should be selected such

that the maneuver begins at least 1,500ft AGL, but that it can be safely completed below any overlying

airspace . A chandelle typically results in the gain of approximately 500 feet of altitude, however

planning for 1,000ft of altitude gain will allow for adequate safety margin.

● Entry Speed - Like all performance maneuvers, a chandelle must be started at less than Va

(maneuvering speed). Typically a chandelle is entered in level cruise flight, at least 5-10 knots below

Va.

● Bank - The steepest bank angle should be approximately 30 degrees of bank .

● Pitch and Exit Speed - Sufficient pitch should be used such that at the end of the maneuver, the

airplane is in slow flight, near the stall warning. Typically this is between 15 and 20 degrees of pitch .

Ideally, the stall warning sounds just as the 180 degree point of the turn is reached. Ending the turn at

an airspeed too far above the stall results in failing to achieve maximum performance.

● Recovery - Maintain altitude ( do not lose altitude ) while slowly reducing back elevator pressure to

regain airspeed. Recover to normal cruise flight.

● Coordination - Proper coordination is essential to the chandelle and should be maintained at all times .

Right rudder pressure will be significant, especially in a right chandelle. Failure to apply adequate

rudder pressure can result in an uncoordinated power-on stall, which can lead to entering a spin.

● This is a visual maneuver! Eyes should remain outside the cockpit as much as possible to scan for

traffic and to help monitor the aircraft attitude and the progress of the turn.

Expanded Completion Standards

● The pilot can explain the purpose of the chandelle and how the various factors affect the performance

of the maneuver.

● The pilot can perform the maneuver to the following standards:

○ Pilot clears the area, performs a pre-maneuver checklist, establishes a speed below Va, and

selects an altitude to perform the maneuver, beginning no lower than 1,500ft AGL

○ Pilot banks approximately 30 degrees and pitches up smoothly until reaching the 90 degree

point of the turn

○ Pilot smoothly reduces bank while holding constant pitch and rolling out at the 180 degree point

+/- 10 degrees just above stall speed, but does not stall

○ Pilot resumes straight and level flight with minimum loss of altitude

Prepared by: Ryan Binns ( ryancbinns.com/flying ), December 2019