← All explained questions · Supplemental · V — Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers
During a steep turn, if the airplane begins to descend, the FIRST corrective action should be to
Choices
increase back pressure to stop the descent.
More back pressure at high bank can accelerate stall.
✓ reduce bank angle slightly.correct
If the airplane starts to descend in a steep turn, first reduce the bank slightly (which restores some vertical lift component), then re-trim/re-establish power, then return to the desired bank. If you're losing altitude in a steep turn, more back pressure simply tightens the turn at the same bank — risks accelerated stall. The right fix is to roll out slightly, increase the vertical lift component, recover altitude, then resume the steeper bank with appropriate back-pressure and power. ACS standards: maintain altitude ±100 ft and bank ±5° in steep turns.
add full power.
Power without reducing bank doesn't restore vertical lift.
lower the nose.
Lowering nose worsens descent.
Why
If the airplane starts to descend in a steep turn, first reduce the bank slightly (which restores some vertical lift component), then re-trim/re-establish power, then return to the desired bank. If you're losing altitude in a steep turn, more back pressure simply tightens the turn at the same bank — risks accelerated stall. The right fix is to roll out slightly, increase the vertical lift component, recover altitude, then resume the steeper bank with appropriate back-pressure and power. ACS standards: maintain altitude ±100 ft and bank ±5° in steep turns.
FAA source: AFH Ch 9 — Performance Maneuvers; AFH Chapter 9 — Performance Maneuversbrowse the reference library →
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Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question. Reviewed by a panel of three CFIs + AI review.