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5 Answers

Commercial Maneuvers

Asked by: 5980 views Commercial Pilot, General Aviation

What is max pitch defined as for a single engine aircraft? Is it 10-15 degrees of pitch or perhaps 10 knots above stall speed (Vs1)? I ask because max pitch is used for chandelles and lazy 8s. The FAA Airplane Flying Handbook explains these maneuvers but this book does not define "max pitch". Any feedback appreciated.

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5 Answers



  1. CFI Academy on Jun 28, 2013

    “Completes rollout at the 180° point, ±10° just above a stall airspeed, and maintaining that airspeed momentarily avoiding a stall.”

    This is out of Commercial Pilot PTS for chandelles. Similarly, you can look up lazy 8s etc. Yes, these “completion standards” are not listed in the CFI PTS. As these are commercial maneuvers, you need to check in the commercial PTS.

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  2. Dan Chitty on Jun 28, 2013

    Regarding the chandelle, you are correct, it is clearly stated for the 180 degree point but no mention is made in the PTS or FAA Aiplane Flying Handbook for the 90 degree point.

    The procedure is to be at max pitch at the 90 degree point for the chandelle. What is max pitch defined as at the 90 degree point? Same goes for the lazy 8 at the 45 degree point as it mention max pitch but no definition of max pitch.What is max pitch defined as at the 45 degree point?

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  3. Brian on Jun 28, 2013

    There is no max pitch as it is aircraft specific. The key is your pitch at these points is at the maximum to complete the maneuver within the other parameters. Since aircraft design and power availability dictate what pitch attitude is necessary to achieve these goals, no max pitch attitude can be given. It is up to you to figure out what is necessary for your aircraft to accomplish the task.

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  4. Dan Chitty on Jun 28, 2013

    Brian and CFI Academy, Thank you both for the feedback. Much appreciated.

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  5. Donnie on Jun 29, 2013

    Maximum pitch means the maximum pitch in the maneuver. Not necessarily the maximum pitch the aircraft will do. As others have said, the pitch in the maneuver is aircraft- and conditions-specific.

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