Illustration of Figure of Eight in Flight Training - Wind
In pilot training an instructor had you practice figures of eights over a conspicuous object on the ground. Some times this was incorporated into a steep turn exercise. For an illustration of wind effect a 20 to 30 degree bank was sufficient.
When you pass over an object you can identify from a distance start a 30 degree bank. Hold this 30 degree bank for 360 degrees. It is better to pick a direction to start the instruction heading, for instance , straight West, as you pass over the object, to begin the 30 degree bank for 360 degrees.
In calm air conditions, when you have completed 360 degrees of 30 degree bank, and are just beginning to head out on a due West course you would expect a complete circle was flown and the object you picked out to begin the turn was again right under your plane. You are correct.
In wind conditions it changes the flight path. If you hold the same 30 degree bank for 360 degrees you describe an exact circle through the air. The air in which you fly moves on with your plane in the "soup." Your path on the ground is not a perfect circle. It is more like the figure "6" at the moment you are again heading exactly due West. But, after starting your 30 degree constantly held bank and flying the bank for 360 degrees your position is not exactly over the object where you started your turn. Your plane is several hundred feet downwind form the object.
If you understand the concept of a turn in the wind above you understand the whole problem of drift in turns.
The drifting of the plane during the maneuver is not accompanied by any forces from any direction. It is accompanied, though, by confusing sensations for you, the pilot.
If you did not watch the ground you would not notice any wind effects. But, you can not help seeing the ground, while turning at a constant 30 degree bank for 360 degrees and noticing how the ground speeds up, now it slides sideways, now it slows up and now it slides to the other side.
How you react depends on where your attention is centered. If you are centered on your path over the ground you would notice how your path is pulled out of shape. The proper response to the changing path over the ground is to do nothing. Let the drift take place and make no effort to resist the illusions of what drift does and causes you to try to keep the plane in a perfect circle.
You don't want to involuntarily try to keep the shape of the turn you started perfect. You may involuntarily try shallowing or steeping your turn or the danger of "holding rudder against the drift" and slipping or skidding during the parts of the turn when you have the "wind" from your side.
If your attention is on flying a nice turn the slipping and skidding tendencies will be opposite. As you notice your planes apparent sideways sliding you will tend to skid as you turn from upwind to downwind and you will tend to slip while you turn downwind to upwind.
You have to learn to fly the plane by attitude and the feel in the seat of your pants. You have to disregard the strong impressions of sideways and improper motion the ground transmits to your eyes.
In pilot training an instructor had you practice figures of eights over a conspicuous object on the ground. Some times this was incorporated into a steep turn exercise. For an illustration of wind effect a 20 to 30 degree bank was sufficient.
When you pass over an object you can identify from a distance start a 30 degree bank. Hold this 30 degree bank for 360 degrees. It is better to pick a direction to start the instruction heading, for instance , straight West, as you pass over the object, to begin the 30 degree bank for 360 degrees.
In calm air conditions, when you have completed 360 degrees of 30 degree bank, and are just beginning to head out on a due West course you would expect a complete circle was flown and the object you picked out to begin the turn was again right under your plane. You are correct.
In wind conditions it changes the flight path. If you hold the same 30 degree bank for 360 degrees you describe an exact circle through the air. The air in which you fly moves on with your plane in the "soup." Your path on the ground is not a perfect circle. It is more like the figure "6" at the moment you are again heading exactly due West. But, after starting your 30 degree constantly held bank and flying the bank for 360 degrees your position is not exactly over the object where you started your turn. Your plane is several hundred feet downwind form the object.
If you understand the concept of a turn in the wind above you understand the whole problem of drift in turns.
The drifting of the plane during the maneuver is not accompanied by any forces from any direction. It is accompanied, though, by confusing sensations for you, the pilot.
If you did not watch the ground you would not notice any wind effects. But, you can not help seeing the ground, while turning at a constant 30 degree bank for 360 degrees and noticing how the ground speeds up, now it slides sideways, now it slows up and now it slides to the other side.
How you react depends on where your attention is centered. If you are centered on your path over the ground you would notice how your path is pulled out of shape. The proper response to the changing path over the ground is to do nothing. Let the drift take place and make no effort to resist the illusions of what drift does and causes you to try to keep the plane in a perfect circle.
You don't want to involuntarily try to keep the shape of the turn you started perfect. You may involuntarily try shallowing or steeping your turn or the danger of "holding rudder against the drift" and slipping or skidding during the parts of the turn when you have the "wind" from your side.
If your attention is on flying a nice turn the slipping and skidding tendencies will be opposite. As you notice your planes apparent sideways sliding you will tend to skid as you turn from upwind to downwind and you will tend to slip while you turn downwind to upwind.
You have to learn to fly the plane by attitude and the feel in the seat of your pants. You have to disregard the strong impressions of sideways and improper motion the ground transmits to your eyes.
