S-Turns

by Jason Schappert

Ground reference maneuvers are something we practice early on in our flight training and seem to neglect later on down the road. We practice specifically S-Turns to learn how the wind affects our ground track. The ultimate goal of S-Turns is to roll out wings level across your point (road, tree line, fence etc…). The main thing I want you to take away from this video is always enter on the downwind. I’ll explain more below in today’s video.



What are your tips when it comes to S-Turns? I’d love to hear! Leave me a comment below.

  • Mike K.

    Good video!  I see you have nicely surfaced runways now at your airport!  Happy holidays.

  • Denny Hohn

    S Turns, great video. your right, something we should practice more. Denny

  • Sam

    Hey Jason,
    I noticed how spot on your nose and the horizon line were, great precison flying.

  • Miten47

    Great video Jason. Very helpful. Thanks

  • Jim M

    Love the camera work!   Timely topic as I am working on ground maneuvers right now in my training. 

  • Larry M. Diamond

    Since it is 26 degrees and snowing here I feel the Ocala warmth already. I teach S-turns based on 2 words: Winds and Groundspeed. If the winds are coming from behind you faster groundspeed steeper turn. Into the wind, slower groundspeed, shallower bank. I have the student always enter on the downwind and before they cross the road I will ask and remind them “where are winds and what is your groundspeed” (fast or slow). Since it is downwind and the groundspeed is the fastest the first turn to the left will be the steepest and I want them to paint half circles over the top of the road. As they continue the circle back to the road the groundspeed will be slower into the wind and the bank will be shallower. Now is the really exciting part as they cross the road going into the wind, I have them go into a very shallow bank and say 1001, 1002, 1003 and then start a little bigger bank. This keeps the circle nice and round and keep them from going into too steep of a bank and flattening their circle like a pancake. Happy Holidays Jason. Strong work as always. Going into the syllabus.

  • MUTHULAXMAN

    Good vide and explanation

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