Steep Turns (Instrument)
On instruments, a steep turn (typically a sustained 45° bank) tests your cross-check and control as the higher bank increases the back-pressure and power needed to hold altitude. With no outside horizon, you must control everything by the attitude indicator and supporting instruments.
Step by step
- 1Note the entry altitude and heading; ensure the airplane is trimmed in level cruise.
- 2Roll smoothly to a 45° bank on the attitude indicator, adding back-pressure and a little power to hold altitude.
- 3Cross-check the altimeter, VSI, and ASI continuously; correct altitude with small pitch changes.
- 4Hold the 45° bank precisely on the AI; correct any altitude deviation by slightly reducing bank while adding back-pressure, then re-establishing 45°.
- 5Maintain coordination (the inclinometer/ball centered).
- 6Lead the rollout to finish on the entry heading, removing the back-pressure and extra power as you roll level.
Tips & common errors
- Without a visible horizon, the attitude indicator is your primary bank reference — keep it pinned at 45°.
- Trade a little bank for pitch to fix altitude, then return to 45° — do not just pull harder.
- Common error: a wandering bank angle that lets altitude drift; scan the AI frequently.
- Lead the rollout (≈half the bank) so you stop on the entry heading.
ACS completion standards
The commonly-tested tolerances for this maneuver. Always confirm the current ACS for your certificate.
- Maintain a 45° bank ±5° (per the Instrument ACS).
- Maintain entry altitude ±100 feet and airspeed ±10 knots.
- Roll out within ±10° of the entry heading; keep the turn coordinated.
FAA source
FAA-S-ACS-8 (Instrument Rating ACS), Task: Basic Instrument Flight (steep turns); Instrument Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-15, Chapter 7.
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
- Attitude Instrument Flying & the Instrument ScanAttitude instrument flying is the foundation of all instrument flight: you control the airplane by interpreting the instruments instead of looking outside. You set an attitude on the attitude indicator (control), verify the result on the other instruments (performance), and trim. A disciplined cross-check (scan) prevents fixation and keeps every parameter in tolerance.
- Constant-Airspeed Climbs & DescentsOn instruments you frequently change altitude at a constant airspeed. You set a pitch and power for the desired airspeed, hold it with the scan, and lead the level-off so you roll out exactly on the new altitude and back at cruise airspeed.
- Rate Climbs & Descents (Constant Vertical Speed)Sometimes you must hold a specific vertical speed (for example to meet a crossing restriction or to fly a constant descent rate on an approach). You adjust pitch and power to pin the VSI to a target rate while still controlling airspeed, then lead the level-off.
- Recovery from Unusual Flight AttitudesAn unusual attitude is an unintended extreme pitch and/or bank, usually from distraction, turbulence, or spatial disorientation. By interpreting the instruments (not your senses), you quickly determine whether you are nose-high (approaching a stall) or nose-low (overspeeding) and apply the correct, prioritized recovery.
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