Viewing page 148 of 206

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S MANUAL   145

180° U TURNS FOR A LANDING

These should be introduced first using two 90° turns in the same manner that they were originally introduced in gliding for the landing lane.

In executing this maneuver the motor is not throttled at the general key location, but while the ship is moving down wind along the side

[[image]]

FIGURE 19.

of the field and at an altitude that will allow the first 90° turn to be made through the key location, after which the regular 90° approach is made.

When the student is able to do this without having difficulty because of the addition of this factor over the 90° approach, he should be advanced to the full 180° turn, starting a shallow turn before reaching the key position and shallowing or steepening the turn through this position and on to the final approach where he will level out and glide to the spot. This will bring into prominence the features and value of varying, or "playing", the turn to conserve or dissipate altitude in order to reach the spot.

As soon as the student has learned these principles and shows some ability to hit the spot, he should be advanced to the overhead 180° accuracy landing, which is the next logical extension.

Although the "key position" is important, it is well for the instructor to bear in mind and impress on the student that it must not be overemphasized nor considered as a fixed point. Many students will gain a conception of it as a particular landmark such as a tree,