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-   -   Eights on pylons (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/flight-schools-training/42393-eights-pylons.html)

Ewfflyer 07-30-2009 04:54 AM


Originally Posted by shdw (Post 652695)
It was an old maneuver flown by pilots so the gunners could have a steady visual target to shoot at. It is a great maneuver to teach the student to stay ahead of the aircraft.

Interesting, hadn't heard that one before.

As far as the others, I agree they have practical reasons for being performed, just never agreed with the 8's-On

shdw 07-30-2009 06:12 AM


Originally Posted by Ewfflyer (Post 653269)
As far as the others, I agree they have practical reasons for being performed, just never agreed with the 8's-On

You and me both, I guess it is good practice for when your buddy brings his paintball gun.

shdw 07-30-2009 06:15 AM


Originally Posted by NoyGonnaDoIt (Post 653238)
One version of the "reason" for steep spirals was to get through a hole in the overcast. I guess they came up with a new one, huh? ;)

To get through a hole in a "moving" cloud? Yet you would teach to do it over a point staying equal distanced, wouldn't that moving cloud require a moving ground point. ;)

mmaviator 07-30-2009 08:19 AM


Originally Posted by allflight57 (Post 652146)
I'm having trouble with my eights on pylons for single commercial. my problem is that i enter it right but I tend to get really far from the pylon coming around the turn back into the wind, every time i try a steeper entry angle by getting closer to the pylon I end up chasing the pylon with pitch like I'm supposed to but airspeed an altitude is getting really fast and I'm getting too low and its just all over the place. What are some things I can do? thanks


not sure if anyone stated this but when I first starter doing this maneuver, I used to apply slight rudder pressure to keep pylon on the wing tip. this is a really bad idea being uncoordinated, slow, and close to the ground. anyways, just do what other posters said and this maneuver takes time to do correctly. good luck

wmuflyboy 07-31-2009 08:57 PM


Originally Posted by mmaviator (Post 653377)
not sure if anyone stated this but when I first starter doing this maneuver, I used to apply slight rudder pressure to keep pylon on the wing tip. this is a really bad idea being uncoordinated, slow, and close to the ground. anyways, just do what other posters said and this maneuver takes time to do correctly. good luck


this is def a common mistake. 8's on pylon can be done with minimal use of rudder. it takes time to perfect as others have said. i know some examiners that have failed students for doing this exact thing you have said above just to keep the wing on the point. you are a commercial pilot - which means your flying and maneuvers should not only be smooth and precise, but done in the correct way. stay professional...

mcis987 08-01-2009 06:30 AM


Originally Posted by mmaviator (Post 653377)
not sure if anyone stated this but when I first starter doing this maneuver, I used to apply slight rudder pressure to keep pylon on the wing tip. this is a really bad idea being uncoordinated, slow, and close to the ground. anyways, just do what other posters said and this maneuver takes time to do correctly. good luck

Very true. I know it can be tempting to use a tiny bit of extra rudder to realign with the pylon, but don't do it. Your examiner will easily be able to pick up on that, and you will fail the maneuver.

shdw 08-01-2009 11:13 AM


Originally Posted by mcis987 (Post 654387)
Very true. I know it can be tempting to use a tiny bit or extra rudder to realign with the pylon, but don't do it. Your examiner will easily be able to pick up on that, and you will fail the maneuver.

I repeat, STOP LOOKING AT YOUR DAMN WING POINT. :) Not meaning to yell just laughing, you guys following your wing point, chasing it with rudder, lol.

But seriously, know that the first half, entry, is a constant descent for about 180 degrees, then climb for the last 60-90 degrees and continue your climb back to pivotal altitude on the straight section. Then repeat. You need not ever look at the point if you calculated your pivotal point properly and can hold a constant banking and slightly descending turn.

Also, talk your way through it even if your not going for your CFI. If you can say, "well the point drifted slightly ahead but I am coming up on a headwind so this will realign itself." When it does not only will you be happy but you will impress your examiner by showing an understanding of the maneuver and the ability to remain ahead of the aircraft. That is what a lazy 8 is about, not chasing a point off a wing, but understanding and applying pivotal altitude.

I was told by a student after teaching this that it is what the King videos teach, with focus on staying ahead of the aircraft, but I have not confirmed this. I learned the wingtip chasing method, I have since called and explained this method to my commercial CFI.

PS: Steep spirals, turns around a point, the landing pattern, and any other time your looking at objects on the ground, stop staring at them, nobody is going to take them away. Remember midair's happen from people in front of you not hidden SAM sites firing missiles.


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