Definition
A turn flown so that the airplane's flight path traces a circle of unchanging radius over the ground, regardless of wind. Because wind continually pushes the airplane during the turn, the pilot must vary the bank angle throughout — steepening it when the groundspeed is highest (downwind) and shallowing it when the groundspeed is lowest (upwind) — to keep the radius from the ground reference point constant.
Plain English
A turn where the circle you draw on the ground stays the same size all the way around, even though the wind is trying to blow you off course. To make that happen, you keep adjusting how steeply you bank the airplane as you go around.
Context Anchor
Used in ground reference maneuvers, especially when practicing turns around a point in visual flight.
Derivation
Ground-referenced' means the turn is measured against a fixed point on the ground rather than against the air the airplane is flying through. 'Constant-radius' means the distance from that point stays the same all the way around. The phrase is descriptive: it tells you exactly what the maneuver is judged by.
Why Pilots Care
Develops precise wind-drift correction and ground-track control essential for safe low-altitude operations, airport pattern work, and emergency landings.
Grounding Statement
Picture flying a perfect circle around a silo on a windy day — to keep the same distance from the silo all the way around, you bank steeper when the wind is behind you and shallower when you're flying into it.
Intuition Check
Do not assume constant-radius means constant bank. In wind, the bank usually has to change to keep the same circle over the ground.
Example Sentence 1
During turns around a point, the student practiced flying a ground-referenced constant-radius turn by steepening the bank on the downwind side and shallowing it on the upwind side.
Example Sentence 2
On the downwind leg the pilot used a shallow bank in the ground-referenced constant-radius turn to keep the circle round despite the crosswind.