Definition
A power-off accuracy approach and landing maneuver in which the pilot reduces engine power to idle abeam an intended touchdown point on the downwind leg, then flies a base leg and a 90° turn onto final approach to glide to a planned touchdown spot without adding power. The maneuver is flown from a normal traffic pattern altitude and tests the pilot's ability to judge glide distance, wind drift, and turn timing so the airplane arrives at the touchdown point with proper airspeed and attitude.
Plain English
A practice landing where the pilot pulls the throttle to idle next to a chosen spot on the runway, turns once onto base, then turns again onto final, and glides down to land on that spot without using engine power.
Context Anchor
Used during power-off accuracy approach practice in the traffic pattern, especially when learning how to judge glide distance after a simulated loss of engine power.
Derivation
Named for the single 90° turn from base leg to final approach. 'Power-off' means the throttle is at idle for the entire approach. The number refers to the geometry of the turn, not the total degrees of turning in the maneuver.
Why Pilots Care
It develops the judgment and control skills required to make a safe, accurate landing after a real engine failure.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane already beside the runway, the throttle pulled back, and the pilot making one smooth quarter-turn to line up and glide to the landing spot.
Intuition Check
The “90°” is the amount of turn needed to line up with the runway, not the angle of descent. “Power-off” normally means the throttle is at idle for the maneuver, not that the engine is shut down.
Example Sentence 1
On the checkride, the examiner asked for a 90° power-off approach, so the student pulled the throttle to idle abeam the numbers and planned the glide to touch down on the runway centerline.
Example Sentence 2
After several 90° power-off approaches the pilot could consistently judge the correct turn point without overshooting or undershooting the runway.