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When performing CLEARING TURNS prior to maneuvering, the standard practice is

Choices

✓ two 90° turns in opposite directions.correct
Clearing turns are two 90° turns in opposite directions, scanning for traffic above, below, behind, and at the same altitude. Clearing turns: typically two 90° turns in OPPOSITE directions (e.g., left 90, then right 90 back through original heading and continuing right 90), with scanning at every quadrant. Goal is to see and be seen. Required before any maneuvering practice — stalls, slow flight, steep turns, ground reference. A single 360 doesn't expose the underside of the airplane to other traffic.
one 360° turn in one direction.
360 turn doesn't allow looking under the airplane.
no clearing turn is needed below 3,000 ft AGL.
Clearing turns are required at any maneuvering altitude.
look out the windshield only.
Active scanning in all directions is required.

Why

Clearing turns are two 90° turns in opposite directions, scanning for traffic above, below, behind, and at the same altitude. Clearing turns: typically two 90° turns in OPPOSITE directions (e.g., left 90, then right 90 back through original heading and continuing right 90), with scanning at every quadrant. Goal is to see and be seen. Required before any maneuvering practice — stalls, slow flight, steep turns, ground reference. A single 360 doesn't expose the underside of the airplane to other traffic.

FAA source: AFH Ch 4browse 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.