Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What is the maximum bank angle recommended for steep turns during training?

1. 30 degrees

2. 45 degrees

3. 60 degrees

4. 75 degrees

The correct answer is: 60 degrees

The maximum bank angle recommended for steep turns during training is 45 degrees. This bank angle provides a good balance between control and visualization of the aircraft's performance during the turn, allowing the instructor and student to properly manage the aircraft's airspeed and coordination. When executing steep turns, maintaining a bank angle that does not exceed 45 degrees is crucial to avoid excessive load factors, which can lead to reduced performance and increased risk of a stall. While some pilots may be trained to perform steep turns with bank angles greater than 30 degrees, going beyond 45 degrees can complicate the maneuver and make it difficult to recover safely if control is lost. Training at this bank angle ensures that pilots develop the necessary skills for manipulating the aircraft in a controlled manner while minimizing the potential for adverse conditions, such as stalling or exceeding structural limits. Therefore, 45 degrees is the most commonly accepted maximum bank angle during steep turn training exercises.