Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What will cause the nose of an aircraft to move in the direction of the turn before the bank starts in a turn entry?

1. Rudder being applied too late.

2. Rudder being applied too soon.

3. Failure to apply back elevator pressure.

4. Excessive speed during the turn.

The correct answer is: Rudder being applied too soon.

When an aircraft enters a turn, the initial movement of the aircraft’s nose in the direction of the turn, prior to the bank angle being established, is primarily influenced by the application of the rudder. If the rudder is applied too soon, before the bank has been initiated, it creates an asymmetrical lift situation that can cause the aircraft's nose to move in the desired turn direction without the bank angle being effectively initiated. The primary aim in a turn entry is to establish coordination between the ailerons and rudder to achieve smooth and balanced flight. When the rudder is introduced ahead of the bank due to timing, it produces a yawing motion before the aircraft has fully banked, resulting in the nose moving toward the turn direction prematurely. This situation can lead to a lack of proper coordination and may require corrective actions to stabilize the aircraft during the turn. The other aspects, such as applying rudder too late, failing to maintain back elevator pressure, or excessive speed do indeed affect turn performance, but they do not specifically relate to the initial nose movement before the bank begins. Understanding this timing and coordination is crucial when instructing students to ensure smooth and controlled flight maneuvers.