DONE 9D Commercial Flight Maneuvers - Eights on Pylons

Question 0

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

2. How do you determine pivotal altitude for eights-on-pylons? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 0

A rule of thumb for estimating pivotal altitude using true airspeed in no-wind conditions, or ground speed when the wind is blowing, is to square the speed and divide by 15 for miles per hour or 11.3 for knots.

Question 1

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

1. What are eights-on-pylons? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 1

Eights-on-pylons is a training maneuver that involves flying the airplane in circular paths, alternately left and right, in the form of a figure-8 around two selected points or pylons on the ground. No attempt is made to maintain a uniform distance from the pylon. Instead, the airplane is flown at such an altitude and airspeed that a line parallel to the airplane’s lateral axis, and extending from the pilot’s eye appears to pivot on each of the pylons.

Question 2

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

3. Does the pivotal altitude change in eights-on-pylons? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 2

Yes, the pivotal altitude is critical and will change with variations in ground speed. Since the headings throughout the turns continually vary from directly downwind to directly upwind, the ground speed will constantly change. This will result in the proper pivotal altitude varying slightly throughout the eight. Therefore, adjustment must be made for this by climbing and descending as necessary to hold the reference line or point on the pylons. This change in altitude will be dependent on how much the wind affects the ground speed.
Remember…
Ground speed goes UP, Pivotal Altitude goes UP.
Ground speed goes DOWN, Pivotal Altitude goes DOWN.

Question 3

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

4. How far should one pylon be from the other pylon in eights-on-pylons? (FAA-S-8081-12)

Answer 3

They should be of sufficient distance apart to permit straight and level flight between pylons.

Question 4

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

5. At the steepest point, the bank angle in an eights-on-pylon maneuver should be what value? (FAA-S-8081-12)

Answer 4

Approximately 30° to 40° at the steepest point.

Question 5

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

6. Where is the highest pivotal altitude likely to occur in eights-on-pylons? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 5

As the airplane turns downwind the ground speed increases; consequently the pivotal altitude is higher and the airplane must climb to hold the reference line on the pylon.

Question 6

• AIRPLANE ONLY*

7. Where is the lowest pivotal altitude likely to occur in eights-on-pylons? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 6

As the airplane heads into the wind, the ground speed decreases; consequently the pivotal altitude is lower and the airplane must descend to hold the reference line on the pylon.

Question 7

• AIRPLANE ONLY*
  8. What action should you take if your wing reference point appears to move ahead of the pylon? Move behind the pylon? (FAA-H-8083-3)

Answer 7

If the reference line appears to move ahead of the pylon, the pilot should increase altitude. If the reference line appears to move behind the pylon, the pilot should decrease altitude. Varying rudder pressure to yaw the airplane and force the wing and reference line forward or backward to the pylon is a dangerous technique and must not be attempted.