21
Turning and Landing
After you become experienced
at turning around by making
two 90-degree turns as
described earlier, you can
try turning in one smooth
continuous motion as shown
here. Remember that turning
a plane requires a coordinated
movement of both rudder and
elevator. Use the rudder control
to bank the plane into the turn,
and use the elevator control to
maintain altitude.
Practice, practice, practice!
Elevator &
Rudder
Stick
Motor
Stick
Figure 18A - Turning Your Aircraft
Fly an oval pattern in front of you as shown here on the left. Flying in a
continuous circle or fl ying around you as pictured on the right will lead to
disorientation and will most likely cause you to crash.
Figure 18B - Flying Pattern
Having trouble?
Should you over-control your airplane or lose orientation, it’s possible
that you’ll fi nd yourself in a downward spiral dive. Should this occur,
remain calm and simply release the sticks! The plane will stop turning
by itself, and will exit the spiral dive with the nose pointed down. Feed
in some up elevator to level the aircraft and climb to a safe altitude.
If you see that you’re going to crash, immediately cut the power.
Doing so will minimize the damage to the aircraft.
When the motor stops, the nose will drop slightly. This is normal under
reduced or zero power. Do not immediately give up elevator! Use the
rudder to steer the aircraft toward a landing pattern. (See
Figure 19
)
Landing Your Air Strike
