Lesson Plan

Eights on Pylons
Objective: An advanced training maneuver designed to develop coordination skills while the pilot's
attention is directed at maintaining a pivotal position on a selected pylon. While not truly a ground track
maneuver, the objective is similar-to develop the ability to maneuver the airplane accurately while
dividing one's attention between the flightpath and the selected points on the ground. Pilot will learn to
stay on a line of reference by varying bank and altitude and remaining coordinated.

ELEMENTS: Maneuver set-up:

 Altitude: Pylon moves forward, yoke moves forward; pylon moves aft,
yoke moves aft
 Pivotal altitude = (GS) Squared/11.3
 Clearing turns - 90 degrees to the left and right
 Situational awareness
 Determine wind direction
 Call FSS and get surface winds, and winds at 1,000’
 Observe smoke, dust or tree tops blowing
 Ensure there are no obstructions around the intended area of
flying
 Find two pylons along a line perpendicular to the wind
 Should be about 1/2 SM apart; need enough space to provide a
3-5 second straight and level flight to transition from one pylon
to another
 Isolated trees, crossroads, or other similar landmarks
 Away from communities, livestock, or groups of people on the
ground to prevent possible annoyance or hazards to others
 Determine an emergency landing area
 If you wait until you get an actual emergency while
practicing this maneuver, it may be too late
 Identify the pylons and emergency landing area to the student

 Entry
 Approach from an altitude well above the pivotal altitude
 Begin a decent in a continuous banked turn around the pylons
 Fly diagonally between the pylons on a crosswind downwind from the
first pylon and make the first turn into the wind
 Airspeed Normal cruise, unless otherwise listed in the POH
 Power setting Normal cruise, unless otherwise listed in the POH

 Flying the Maneuver

 Don’t get focused too much on one item, keep the cross-check
moving
 Divide your attention between flying the aircraft and
maintaining proper ground track
 If flying downwind, a higher angle of bank and a higher pivotal
altitude will be required to make the turn
  If flying upwind, you’ll need a lesser angle of bank and a lower
pivotal altitude
 Strong winds-require 100-200 feet of altitude change
 Weaker winds require 50-100 feet of altitude change
 Try to limit your max bank angles to 45 degrees
 Keep the turn coordinated
 Maintain normal cruise, + 10 knots

 Scan
 Safety

SCHEDULE:  Preflight: 15
 Instructor demo: 10
 Student practice: 25
 Post flight critiques: 10
 Total: 1 Hour

EQUIPMENT: Whiteboard, marker, PTS, AFH

INSTRUCTOR’S  Preflight Assess the student’s understanding

ACTIONS:  In-flight Demonstrate Eights on Pylons
 Post flight Critique

STUDENT’S  Preflight: Discuss lesson objectives and elements

ACTIONS:  In-flight: Practice Eights on Pylons

COMPLETION  Commercial PTS

STANDARDS:  Apply the necessary corrections so that the line-of-sight reference line
remains on the pylon with minimum longitudinal movement.

COMMON ERRORS:

 Faulty entry technique

 Poor planning, orientation, or division of attention
 Uncoordinated flight control application
 Use of improper Line-of-sight references
 Application of rudder alone to maintain line-of-sight on the pylon
 Improper timing of turn entries and rollouts
 Improper wind correction for wind drift between pylons
 Selection of a ground reference where there is no suitable emergency landing area within gliding
distance