What is the maximum altitude loss in a 60° angle of bank during a 360° turn at 125 KIAS?

When performing a 360-degree turn with a 60° bank angle at 125 knots indicated airspeed (KIAS), the aircraft experiences a certain rate of altitude loss due to the increased load factor and the performance characteristics inherent at that bank angle.

The primary factor contributing to altitude loss during a turn is the load factor induced by the bank angle. In a turn, especially at a steep bank, the vertical lift component decreases, which can lead to a loss of altitude if the aircraft does not maintain sufficient power and control input. For a 60° bank angle, the load factor typically increases to about 2g, meaning the aircraft is effectively experiencing twice the normal load.

At 125 KIAS, the descent rate during this turn can average between 500 to 1,000 feet of altitude loss depending on the precision of the maneuver, the airframe, and power management. This leads to the understanding that a maximum altitude loss of approximately 1,000 feet per complete 360-degree turn is realistic for this specific configuration.

Therefore, the answer of 1,000 feet per turn accurately reflects the expected altitude loss during a 60° bank turn at 125 KIAS, which is critical for pilots to understand for maintaining