Mastering the Maneuvers: CFI Tips for Conquering Steep Turns, Stalls, and More

Whether you’re a student pilot preparing for your checkride or a seasoned flyer brushing up on fundamentals, mastering flight maneuvers is a non-negotiable part of becoming a safe, skilled aviator. At JulAir Flight School, we’ve trained countless pilots to perform these maneuvers not just competently, but confidently.

Today, we’re unpacking tried-and-true tips straight from our Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) to help you conquer three of the most commonly challenging maneuvers: steep turns, power-off stalls, and slow flight. And we’ll toss in a few bonus strategies for everything in between.

Let’s dive deep into how to execute these maneuvers like a pro, with detailed guidance from our Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs).

Steep Turns: Precision in a Circle

Steep turns simulate scenarios like weather avoidance or course reversal. They test your ability to control altitude, bank angle, and heading, all at once.

CFI Tips for Steep Turns:

• Visualize Your Horizon: Pick a landmark or point on the horizon aligned with your desired rollout heading. Keeping your eyes outside reduces instrument fixation and helps you sense attitude changes more naturally.

  
  

• Add Power Early: As you bank beyond 30°, the vertical component of lift decreases and induced drag increases. To prevent altitude loss, apply 100–200 RPM (in a fixed-pitch prop) or about 1–2” manifold pressure (in a constant-speed prop) before reaching your target bank angle.

  
  

• Use Coordinated Rudder: Rudder prevents adverse yaw, especially when initiating or rolling out of the turn. Use just enough rudder to keep the turn indicator centered. In uncoordinated flight, you’ll feel the plane “skidding” or “slipping”—which could destabilize your turn.

  
  

• Roll Out on Time: If your target heading is 180°, start rolling out 15–20° before that point. This compensates for the aircraft’s inertia and ensures a smooth, coordinated rollout without overshooting the heading.

  
  

CFI Reminder: Be smooth. Jerky inputs cause altitude excursions and bank inconsistencies. It’s a steep turn, not a violent one.

Power-Off Stalls: Practicing for the Real Thing

Stalls are about understanding how lift breaks down, and how to fix it instantly. Power-off stalls simulate final approach scenarios where airspeed management is crucial.

CFI Tips for Power-Off Stalls:

• Stabilize First: Before initiating the maneuver, configure for a stabilized approach: carb heat on (if applicable), flaps full, and trim set. This mirrors real landing conditions and sets the stage for a realistic stall entry.

  
  

• Pitch with Purpose: Slowly bring the nose up to increase angle of attack. Avoid abrupt movements. You’re approaching a stall, not launching into one. The goal is to control the stall entry, not surprise yourself.

  
  

• Call the Stall: Say “stall” when you feel the buffet or see the stall warning activate. Verbalizing helps develop awareness and reinforces the recognition phase for checkride and real-world scenarios.

  
  

• Recover Cleanly: Push forward slightly to reduce AOA, add full power smoothly, level the wings, and climb out. As you establish a positive rate of climb, retract flaps in increments (usually 10° at a time) to avoid a secondary stall.

  
  

• Stay Calm: Confidence during recovery shows understanding. Don’t panic, just follow the flow: reduce AOA, add power, regain control, and reset your configuration.

CFI Reminder: Confidence comes from repetition. Stalls are where we teach you to fly the airplane back to safety.

Slow Flight: Living on the Edge (of a Stall)

Slow flight trains your ability to maintain altitude and directional control while flying at or near stall speed, often used during approach or maneuvering in tight airspace.

CFI Tips for Slow Flight:

• Trim Is Your Friend: After reaching your target speed, use trim to relieve yoke/stick pressure. This helps you maintain a constant pitch attitude without “fighting” the airplane, allowing better focus on heading and altitude.

  
  

• Stay Ahead of the Airplane: Small altitude or airspeed deviations compound quickly at slow speeds. Add power if you see a descent, and reduce if you’re ballooning. You must constantly anticipate what the aircraft will do next, not just react.

  
  

• Rudder Discipline: At slow speeds, the ailerons become less effective, and the rudder becomes your primary tool for directional control. Practice making turns using coordinated rudder and minimal aileron input to maintain coordination.

  
  

• Control with Pitch and Power: Remember the golden rule: Pitch for airspeed, power for altitude. This might feel backwards at first, but it’s essential during slow flight. For example, if you’re descending, add power instead of pitching up.

  
  

CFI Reminder: If your stall horn is chirping, you’re on the edge, and that’s exactly where you want to be. Know the edge.

Bonus Tips for Advanced Maneuvers

Chandelles (Maximum Performance Climbing Turns):

• Think “Climb and Turn Together”: Begin a climbing turn with a constant bank (typically 30°) while smoothly increasing pitch. By the 90° point, your pitch should be at maximum and your airspeed bleeding off. Reduce bank while holding pitch until the 180° point is reached.

  
  

• Smoothness is Key: The FAA looks for precision and grace. Avoid abrupt changes. Think of it as drawing a smooth arc in the sky.

  
  

Lazy Eights:

• Balance Each Side: The climb and descent on each side should be symmetrical. Use visual references for pitch and bank, and anticipate the nose drop and roll-out points. You’re painting a figure eight, make it elegant.

  
  

• Eyes Outside: Avoid staring at instruments. Use the horizon, wingtip references, and peripheral cues to feel your way through the maneuver.

  
  

Emergency Landings:

• Commit to Glide Speed Immediately: Identify and pitch for best glide (e.g., 65 knots in a C172) right away. Don’t wait, every second you’re too fast or slow eats up your options.

  
  

• Pick a Landing Spot and Plan a Pattern: Don’t spiral down directly over the field. Fly a modified traffic pattern around it (if altitude permits) to set up a controlled final approach.

  
  

• Checklist Discipline: Aviate first. Then run your engine failure/mayday checklist methodically. Don’t rush, especially if time and altitude allow.

Final Thoughts: The Mindset of Mastery

At JulAir, we teach that technical ability is just half the game. The other half? Mindset.

Here’s what we drill into our students:

• Be Coachable: Listen. Apply feedback. The best pilots are lifetime learners, not just fast learners.

• Fly Often: Frequency builds fluency. The more consistent your practice, the faster your skill retention and muscle memory develop.

• Debrief Every Flight: Use post-flight time to journal what you did well and where you struggled. Reflection = growth.

• Visualize Daily: Chair-fly the maneuvers at home. Close your eyes and walk through them verbally and mentally. Visual reps matter.

Ready to Take Your Skills Sky High?

Whether you’re brand new or aiming to become a CFI yourself, JulAir Flight School provides the one-on-one instruction, simulator practice, and real-world experience to help you master every maneuver with confidence.

📞 Call us or book your next flight lesson today. 

📍 Based in730 Airport Parkway Dallas, GA 30157 |

✈️ Training future aviators one flight at a time.

JulAir Flight School: Where technique meets confidence, every time you take off.