AFOQT Practice Test

During a shallow turn, what happens naturally after the turn is completed?

1. The aircraft enters a steep descent

2. The stability returns to level flight

3. The aircraft increases speed significantly

4. The pilot must adjust the ailerons

The correct answer is: The stability returns to level flight

Once a shallow turn is completed, the natural tendency of the aircraft is to return to level flight due to its inherent stability characteristics. This is particularly true for general aircraft design that incorporates dihedral wings or other stability-enhancing features. As the aircraft completes the turn, the aerodynamic forces and the aircraft's design work together to restore equilibrium, allowing it to smoothen out and maintain stable flight without requiring continuous control inputs from the pilot. In this context, the other options present scenarios that do not align with the typical behavior of an aircraft after completing a shallow turn. There is generally no steep descent or significant increase in speed simply because a turn has finished; most aircraft are designed to effortlessly transition back to level flight. Adjusting ailerons is also unnecessary unless the aircraft has experienced some roll tendency indicative of poor control or abnormal operating conditions.