Definition
A turn flown at a high bank angle (typically 45 degrees or more) while maintaining constant altitude. Because lift is divided between supporting the airplane and pulling it around the turn, the pilot must increase angle of attack and add power to hold altitude, which significantly increases load factor and stall speed.
Plain English
A turn flown with the wings tilted well over (around 45 degrees or more) while keeping the airplane at the same altitude. The steeper the bank, the harder the wings have to work to keep the airplane from descending.
Context Anchor
Seen in energy management, maneuvering, and stall-risk discussions, especially when an airplane is slow, low, or already losing energy.
Derivation
“Steep” originally means sharply rising or sharply angled. In this aviation use, it does not mean the airplane is climbing; it means the airplane is banked at a large angle. “Level” means staying at the same altitude, not that the turn is easy or gentle.
Why Pilots Care
These turns demonstrate how increased bank angle raises the load factor, requiring more lift and thus more power to stay level, which is critical for safe energy management.
Grounding Statement
Picture the airplane tilted strongly to one side while still trying to hold the same altitude; the wing has to work harder than it does in straight flight.
Intuition Check
“Steep” does not mean a steep climb here; it means a large sideways tilt in the turn. “Level” does not mean easy; it means holding altitude.
Example Sentence 1
During the checkride, the examiner asked for a steep level turn to the left, holding 45 degrees of bank and altitude within 100 feet.
Example Sentence 2
In training, steep level turns show why extra engine power is needed when the wings are tilted at a high angle.