Lazy Eights

1. Perform clearing turns
2. Adjust the pitch and power to maintain altitude and set cruise power
   • Trim as necessary
3. Pick 45°, 90°, and 135° reference points on or out to the horizon
   • The farther away, the more accurate and steady they will be
4. From a straight and level flight, initiate a climbing turn (simultaneously increase bank and pitch slowly) in the direction of the 45° reference point
   • Slowly increase bank and pitch so that at the 45° point the airplane is passing through 15° of bank and maximum pitch up (around 10°)
   • If bank is too fast, the aircraft will increase the rate of turn too quickly and reach 45° point before highest pitch is attained
5. At the 45° reference point the maximum pitch up (highest) attitude should be achieved with a 15° bank angle continuing to increase to 30°
6. From the 45° reference point, while allowing the bank angle to continue increasing, allow the pitch to decrease so that at the 90° reference point the maximum bank angle (30°) is achieved and the pitch attitude is passing through level flight at minimum airspeed (5-10 knots above V_S
   • Right rudder pressure will have to be applied to counteract torque
   • More right rudder is required during the climbing turn to the right than in the turn to the left
   • Record altitude gain at the 90° point
7. From the 90° reference point, allow the pitch attitude to continue decreasing and initiate a slow decrease in the bank angle, continuing a descending turn in the direction of the 135° reference point
   • Continue to decrease pitch and slowly decrease bank so that at the 135° point, the airplane is passing through 15° of bank and maximum pitch down (7° nose down)
8. At the 135° reference point, the maximum pitch down (lowest) attitude should be achieved with a 15° bank angle continuing to decrease to 0°
9. From the 135° reference point, continue decreasing the bank angle while allowing the pitch to increase so that the airplane returns to the entry airspeed and altitude by the 180° reference point
   • The airspeed should not exceed the entry airspeed during the turn from the 90° reference point to the 180° reference point
10. From the 180° point, immediately commence a climbing turn in the opposite direction, repeating the steps above
11. Upon completion of the maneuver, resume normal cruise
    • Re-trim as necessary
12. Complete cruise flow/checklist

Lazy Eights Common Errors:

• Failure to adequately clear the area
• Using the nose, or top of engine cowl, instead of the true longitudinal axis, resulting in unsymmetrical loops
• Watching the airplane instead of the reference points
• Inadequate planning, resulting in the peaks of the loops both above and below the horizon not coming in the proper place
• Control roughness, usually caused by attempts to counteract poor planning
• Persistent gain or loss of altitude with the completion of each eight
• Attempting to perform the maneuver rhythmically, resulting in poor pattern symmetry
• Allowing the airplane to "fall" out of the tops of the loops rather than flying the airplane through the maneuver
• Slipping and/or skidding
• Failure to scan for other traffic

Conclusion:

• Consider actual versus realized performance when doing any performance calculations
• Consider practicing maneuvers on a flight simulator to introduce yourself to maneuvers or knock off rust
• Still looking for something? Continue searching:

References:

• Federal Aviation Administration - Pilot/Controller Glossary
• Airplane Flying Handbook (6-9) Lazy Eight
• FAA - Airman Certification Standards