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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/comm-pivotal-altitude-groundspeed

In eights on pylons, what determines the pivotal altitude?

The airplane's groundspeed.

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  1. Groundspeed ✔
  2. The bank angle you pick
  3. The wind direction

Why: Pivotal altitude is the height at which the sight line to the pylon appears to pivot. It depends on groundspeed, so it changes as the wind shifts your speed over the ground.

Huh, didn't know that: Pivotal altitude does not vary with bank angle unless the bank is steep enough to affect groundspeed.

The dad joke
Why did the pylon stay calm? It knew the pilot was just going in circles to see it.
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References

Answer: Groundspeed. Pivotal altitude is the height at which the sight line to the pylon appears to pivot. It depends on groundspeed, so it changes as the wind shifts your speed over the ground.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook ch 7, Ground Reference Maneuvers (FAA-H-8083-3C) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/08_afh_ch7.pdf
    is determined by the airplane's groundspeed.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. Airplane Flying Handbook ch 7, Ground Reference Maneuvers (FAA-H-8083-3C) www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/08_afh_ch7.pdf
    divide by 11.3 (if the groundspeed is in knots)
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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