Definition 1 of 2
Definition
A training maneuver consisting of a level turn at a bank angle of 45° or greater (commonly 45° for private pilot standards and 50° for commercial standards), held for a specified amount of turn (typically 360°) while maintaining altitude, airspeed, and a constant bank. Steep turns are used to develop the pilot's ability to coordinate controls, manage increased load factor, and recognize the aerodynamic effects of high bank angles.
Plain English
A practice maneuver where the pilot banks the airplane sharply — 45° or more — and holds that bank while flying a circle, keeping height and speed steady the whole way around.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight training when a student practices level turns with larger bank angles and learns to hold altitude while turning more sharply.
Derivation
“Steep” comes from an old word meaning high, sharply rising, or sharply sloped. In aviation, the word points to the sharp tilt of the wings in the turn, not to a steep climb or descent.
Why Pilots Care
Practicing steep turns builds precise control of altitude, airspeed, and coordination when aerodynamic forces increase, skills that transfer directly to safe maneuvering in the traffic pattern and emergencies.
Grounding Statement
Picture the horizon angled sharply across the windshield while the airplane keeps the same altitude and turns in a tight circle.
Intuition Check
Do not read “steep” here as “climbing steeply” or “diving steeply.” In steep turns, “steep” refers to the tilt of the wings; the turn can still be level.
Example Sentence 1
During the checkride, the examiner asked the applicant to demonstrate steep turns, first to the left and then to the right, rolling out on the original heading.
Example Sentence 2
On the checkride the examiner asked for steep turns to both left and right to check coordination and altitude control.