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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/pilot-steep-turn-maneuvering-speed

Why does the FAA recommend no faster than VA or VO for steep turns?

In level-turn loading, the airplane stalls before exceeding its design load limit.

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  1. In level-turn loading, it stalls before exceeding design load ✔
  2. It uses the least fuel at that speed
  3. It makes the overbanking tendency disappear

Why: Steep turns raise load factor. In the level-turn loading described by the FAA, an airplane at or below VA or VO stalls before exceeding its design load limit.

Huh, didn't know that: The AFH says a level turn at 75 degrees of bank exceeds the 3.8 G limit of a normal category airplane.

The dad joke
Maneuvering speed is the airplane's way of saying: I'll faint before I break.
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References

Answer: In level-turn loading, it stalls before exceeding design load. Steep turns raise load factor. In the level-turn loading described by the FAA, an airplane at or below VA or VO stalls before exceeding its design load limit.

  1. Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C, Chapter 10 Performance Maneuvers www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook/11_afh_ch10.pdf
    At speeds at or below VA or VO, the airplane will stall before exceeding the design load limit.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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