Definition
A series of gentle turns, typically two 90-degree turns or one 180-degree turn, performed before beginning a training maneuver to visually scan the surrounding airspace for other aircraft.
Plain English
Before starting a practice maneuver, the pilot turns the airplane so they can look around in all directions and make sure no other aircraft are nearby.
Context Anchor
Used during flight training and collision avoidance, especially before practicing maneuvers away from the airport traffic pattern.
Derivation
From 'clearing' meaning making something free of obstruction. The turns 'clear' the airspace by giving the pilot a chance to see what is out there before committing to a maneuver that demands full attention.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures the airspace is free of conflicting traffic before the pilot’s attention narrows to the maneuver.
Analogy
Like checking your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes on the highway.
Intuition Check
Clearing turns are not an ATC clearance and not just turns for positioning. They are turns used to look for traffic and make sure the practice area is clear.
Example Sentence 1
Before entering slow flight, the student performed two 90-degree clearing turns and confirmed no traffic was in the practice area.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor reminded the pilot to do clearing turns whenever entering the practice area.