Climbing and descending turns

Climbing and Descending Turns

Climbing and descending turns combine bank with pitch — more demanding than pure level turns.

Climbing turn

Force balance

• Thrust T must overcome drag D plus the vertical weight component in climb.
• Lift L must balance the weight component perpendicular to flight path plus centripetal force.

In bank additionally:

• Bank component of lift converts to horizontal component.
• → Lift must be even higher than in pure level turn or pure climb.

Consequence: reduced climb performance

• Climb rate decreases in bank because of higher lift demand → more induced drag → less excess power for altitude gain.
• At 30° bank: climb rate typically −20 %.
• At 45° bank: climb rate typically −40 %.
• At 60° bank: climb rate can be zero or negative — aircraft descends in a 60° banked climb attempt.

Pilot technique

1. Bank initiation: aileron + rudder.
2. Maintain pitch (or slightly reduce) — yoke already in climb position.
3. Maximise power (Vy or Vx, depending on goal).
4. Roll-out before reaching target heading (lead distance).

Hazards

• Stall in climbing bank: at bank > 30° and Vy the stall reserve is tighter.
• Power-off stall with bank: critical.

Descending turn

Force balance

• Lift L must be smaller than weight (for descent).
• Weight component along flight path assists descent.
• More "reserve" than in climb — descent is energetically easier.

Consequence

• Sink rate increases in bank due to higher drag.
• In 30° bank: typically +10 % sink rate.
• In 45° bank: +25 % sink rate.

Pilot technique

1. Bank initiation: aileron + rudder.
2. Maintain pitch (or slightly increase).
3. Power adjustment: in descent usually constant.
4. Roll-out with lead distance.

Common use cases

Pattern descent (base-to-final)

• Simultaneous descent and bank.
• Critical phase: stall speed in bank, low altitude.
• Recommendation: no steeper than 30° bank.

Climbing departure

• Initial climb with bank: pattern entry after take-off.
• Maintain Vy, moderate bank.

Spiralling descent

• Continuous descending bank for rapid altitude reduction.
• Use: ATC "lose altitude", forced-landing preparation.

Drift correction in turn

Wind effect is amplified in climbing/descending turns:

• In cross-country with wind: drift correction via bank-angle adjustment.
• Pattern in crosswind: base leg bank changes with wind direction.

Pilot demonstration in skill test

FCL.235 skill test for PPL requires:

• Steep turn at 45° (level).
• Climbing turn and descending turn demonstrated.
• Roll-out on assigned heading (±10°).

Energy management

Energy gained in descent:

• Speed rises if pitch and power not adjusted.
• Rule of thumb: descent = "speed budget" — can be used for acceleration or energy reserve.

Energy used in climb:

• Speed drops or stays depending on power.
• Stall margin is the primary concern.

Training recommendation

Build up gradually:

1. First level turn to 45°.
2. Then climbing turn with moderate bank (15°-20°).
3. Then descending turn.
4. Then spiralling descent (safety altitude).

Instructor accompaniment for all first exercises.

Comparison with level turn