Definition
An instrument flying maneuver in which the pilot changes airspeed while maintaining a constant-rate turn, requiring coordinated adjustments to bank angle and pitch because the bank required to hold a given turn rate decreases as airspeed decreases and increases as airspeed increases.
Plain English
Slowing down or speeding up while staying in a steady turn. As the airplane slows, you must reduce the bank angle to keep turning at the same rate; as it speeds up, you must increase the bank angle. Pitch and power are adjusted at the same time to hold altitude and reach the new airspeed.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument training when practicing speed changes while turning by reference to the flight instruments.
Why Pilots Care
Uncompensated airspeed loss in turns can cause altitude deviation or approach to stall during instrument flight.
Grounding Statement
A speed change during a turn affects more than speed; it can also change altitude or the shape of the turn if the pilot does not manage it smoothly.
Intuition Check
Do not assume the airplane will keep turning the same way just because you only changed speed. In a turn, speed, altitude, and the turn are connected, so a speed change must be managed with the whole airplane in mind.
Example Sentence 1
ATC instructed the pilot to slow to 120 knots while still in the right turn to intercept the localizer, so he reduced power, raised the nose slightly, and shallowed the bank to maintain a standard-rate turn.
Example Sentence 2
During the procedure turn, watch for the change of airspeed in turns and adjust pitch to hold the target speed.