Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What could happen if a pilot banks too steeply during the climbing turn portion of a lazy eight maneuver?

1. Completing the turn with minimal altitude gain.

2. Stalling at a high pitch attitude.

3. Maintaining excessive speed throughout the turn.

4. Experiencing a loss of engine power.

The correct answer is: Stalling at a high pitch attitude.

When a pilot banks too steeply during the climbing turn of a lazy eight maneuver, the aircraft can exceed its critical angle of attack. This is particularly dangerous during a climb, as the aircraft is already operating at a reduced airspeed and increased angle of attack due to the climb nature of the maneuver. When the angle of attack exceeds the critical threshold, the airflow over the wings becomes turbulent and may no longer provide sufficient lift, leading to a stall. A stall in this context can occur at a high pitch attitude, which could result in an unpleasant recovery situation since the pilot might find themselves in a challenging scenario to regain control. Adequate training emphasizes the importance of maintaining the appropriate bank angle and pitch to ensure safe maneuvering and to avoid stalls, especially during complex maneuvers like the lazy eight. This explanation underscores the importance of managing aircraft attitude and speed during maneuvers while illustrating the risks associated with improper technique in aerobatic flight scenarios.