Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What may occur if the initial bank is too shallow when performing a chandelle?

1. Completing the maneuver with excessive airspeed.

2. Stalling the aircraft before reaching the 180° point.

3. Completing the maneuver with too low a pitch attitude.

4. Entering a spin.

The correct answer is: Stalling the aircraft before reaching the 180° point.

When performing a chandelle, the maneuver requires an increasing bank angle to maintain a proper balance between lift, drag, and the aircraft's energy state throughout the turn. If the initial bank is too shallow, the aircraft may not generate enough lift to maintain altitude effectively as you approach the 180° point. As the maneuver progresses, the aircraft needs to climb while simultaneously turning. A shallow bank angle could lead to a situation where the pilot is unable to maintain the necessary pitch attitude for the climb, resulting in the aircraft stalling before reaching the desired 180° completion point. This stall can occur because the aircraft may exceed its critical angle of attack while also attempting to maintain altitude or gain additional lift during the turn. Thus, a shallow initial bank compromises the maneuver, leading directly to the risk of stalling at an undesired point in the process. This understanding is critical for flight instructors to impart to students, as it highlights the importance of proper entry techniques in maneuvers and the need to maintain appropriate angle of attack and bank angles throughout flight operations.