How much altitude is lost with a 30° angle of bank in a 360° turn while trimmed for 125 KIAS?

When executing a 360° turn with a 30° angle of bank while trimmed for 125 KIAS, it is essential to understand the relationship between bank angle, speed, and altitude loss. In general, during a coordinated turn, an aircraft will experience a loss of altitude due to the increased load factor and the requirement to maintain level flight.

At a 30° angle of bank, the load factor increases to approximately 1.154. This increased load causes the aircraft to experience a greater amount of drag and requires a higher angle of attack to maintain altitude, often leading to an altitude loss.

At 125 KIAS, standard performance calculations indicate that for a 360° turn at 30° bank, the altitude loss can be approximated through basic flight performance knowledge and can be quantified as around 2,000 feet for that turn. This value is derived from empirical data and flight training experience, which showcases that maintaining altitude in such maneuvers requires application of extra power and control input to counter the inherent descent.

Understanding this dynamic is crucial for pilots, especially in training settings, as it highlights the importance of effective energy management during turns and the way aircraft behavior changes in relation to bank angles and airspeed.