Definition
A steep turn performed without engine power, typically at a bank angle of around 45 degrees, used to reverse direction quickly while maintaining best glide airspeed during an engine-out scenario such as a takeoff failure with sufficient altitude to attempt a return to the runway.
Plain English
A tight turn flown while the airplane is gliding (no engine power), usually at a steep bank, to change direction fast without losing more height or speed than necessary.
Context Anchor
Encountered in training for engine failure shortly after takeoff, especially when discussing the danger of trying to turn back to the runway at low altitude.
Derivation
Gliding comes from an older word meaning to move smoothly. In aviation, it means the airplane is still flying through the air but is descending without engine power. Steep, in this term, points to the large wing-low angle used in the turn.
Why Pilots Care
Allows precise positioning for a forced landing without excess altitude loss or stall risk when power is unavailable.
Grounding Statement
Picture the engine quitting just after takeoff: the airplane must keep enough speed to fly, and any sharp turn trades away precious height.
Intuition Check
Steep does not mainly mean the airplane is diving steeply; here it means the turn uses a large bank angle. Gliding does not mean floating easily; it means descending without engine thrust.
Example Sentence 1
After the engine quit at 800 feet, the instructor demonstrated a gliding steep turn to show how much altitude was lost just reversing course back toward the runway.
Example Sentence 2
The procedure called for a gliding steep turn at 500 feet AGL to lose altitude while maintaining best glide speed.