Lazy Eights
- Two 180° turns in opposite directions
- Each turn has both a climb and descent portion
- At no time is airplane flown straight and level
- At no time do forces on controls remain constant
- Develops feel, planning, orientation, coordination, and speed sense
Lazy Eight Howto
- Airspeed below Va (17"MP in a Bonanza)
- Select reference points at 45°, 90°, 135°
- Start a slow climbing turn so max pitch up achieved at 45° reference
- At 45° reference, bank increases to approx 30° and nose slices through 90° reference
- Let nose fall to max pitch down at 135° reference
- Slowly pitch up and roll out to 180° heading and original altitude at entry airspeed
Right rudder will be needed at top of each turn to counteract torque at slow airspeed. More right rudder on climbing turn to right because torque correction needed to prevent yaw from decreasing rate of turn.
Common Mistakes
- Failure to clear area
- Too shallow or steep initial bank
- Excessive or insufficient pitch up causing too high or low airspeed at top of turn
- Excessive bank at top of turn
- Excessive airspeed at 180° point
- Insufficient right rudder at top of turn
- Stalling
ACS Test Standards
- Starts no lower than 1500 AGL
- Approx 30* bank at steepest point
- Altitude +/- 100 feet at 180° points
- Airspeed +/- 10 knots from entry speed
- Heading tolerance at 180° +/- 10°