Steep Spiral
A steep spiral is a constant-radius gliding turn of at least three 360° turns around a ground reference point, with power at idle. It teaches power-off glide control and wind-drift correction (like a steep spiral down to an emergency landing site) while maintaining a safe, constant airspeed.
Step by step
- 1Choose a suitable ground reference point and a high enough altitude to complete at least three turns (finishing no lower than ~1,500 ft AGL).
- 2Clear the area, reduce power to idle, and establish the recommended gliding airspeed.
- 3Roll into a bank that produces a constant radius around the point; the bank should not exceed about 60° at the steepest (downwind) part.
- 4Vary the bank continuously to hold the constant radius as the wind changes around the circle (steepest downwind, shallowest upwind).
- 5Hold the gliding airspeed precisely with pitch throughout the descent.
- 6Clear the engine periodically (briefly add power) to prevent excessive cooling/loading.
- 7Roll out on a specified heading after at least three complete, constant-radius turns.
Tips & common errors
- Constant radius means continuously changing bank — same logic as turns around a point, but descending and power-off.
- Hold the glide speed exactly with pitch; do not let it build in the steep (downwind) portion.
- Common error: drifting off the constant radius, or letting airspeed creep up; also forgetting to clear the engine.
- Plan the entry altitude so you can complete three turns and still recover at a safe height.
ACS completion standards
The commonly-tested tolerances for this maneuver. Always confirm the current ACS for your certificate.
- Maintain the specified gliding airspeed ±10 knots with power at idle.
- Maintain a constant radius around the point for at least three 360° turns (bank not exceeding ~60°).
- Roll out within ±10° of the specified heading; apply proper wind-drift correction.
FAA source
FAA-S-ACS-7 (Commercial Pilot ACS), Task: Steep Spiral; Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3, Chapter 9.
This is an original, plain-English study summary grounded in the public-domain FAA Airman Certification Standards and FAA handbooks cited above. It is a study aid, not flight instruction, and not a substitute for the official ACS, the handbooks, your aircraft’s POH/AFM, or a certificated flight instructor.
Related maneuvers
- Power-Off 180° Accuracy Approach & LandingA Commercial maneuver: from a downwind position abeam the intended touchdown point at pattern altitude, you reduce the power to idle and fly a gliding approach — judging the wind and energy — to touch down within a tight tolerance of a specified point, with no power added.
- ChandelleA chandelle is a maximum-performance 180° climbing turn that ends at the slowest controllable airspeed with wings level. It demonstrates planning, smooth coordination through changing airspeed and load, and precise control as you trade airspeed for altitude.
- Lazy EightThe lazy eight is a graceful maneuver of two opposite 180° climbing-and-descending turns, with constantly changing bank, pitch, and airspeed. It looks like a wing-tip tracing a slow figure-eight on the horizon and demands continuous, smoothly varying control coordination — no two instants are the same.
- Rectangular CourseThe rectangular course teaches you to fly a constant, equal distance from a square or rectangular ground feature while correcting for wind. It directly simulates the airport traffic pattern, so it builds the division of attention and wind-drift correction you use on every approach.
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