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PIVOTAL ALTITUDE for an eights-on-pylons maneuver is computed as
Choices
✓ ground speed in knots squared, divided by 11.3.correct
Pivotal altitude (ft AGL) = (groundspeed in knots)² / 11.3. Example: 100 kts = 100²/11.3 = ~885 ft AGL. The maneuver is at this altitude where the airplane appears to pivot around a fixed ground point with no slip/skid. Eights-on-pylons is a Commercial maneuver but pivotal altitude understanding helps PAR pilots think about ground reference.
ground speed in knots squared, divided by 15.
Wrong divisor.
true airspeed in knots, multiplied by 10.
Not the formula at all.
indicated airspeed times bank angle.
Bank angle isn't in the pivotal altitude formula.
Why
Pivotal altitude (ft AGL) = (groundspeed in knots)² / 11.3. Example: 100 kts = 100²/11.3 = ~885 ft AGL. The maneuver is at this altitude where the airplane appears to pivot around a fixed ground point with no slip/skid. Eights-on-pylons is a Commercial maneuver but pivotal altitude understanding helps PAR pilots think about ground reference.
FAA source: AFH Ch 6browse the reference library →
Original study question written for this course — representative of FAA knowledge-test topics, not an actual current FAA exam question.