AFOQT Practice Test

What must a pilot do to stop an increase in the bank angle during a turn?

1. Increase power

2. Decrease airspeed

3. Neutralize the controls

4. Turn off the engines

The correct answer is: Neutralize the controls

To stop an increase in the bank angle during a turn, neutralizing the controls is essential. When a pilot turns, they use ailerons to bank the aircraft. If the bank angle begins to increase too much, neutralizing the controls helps act against the uncoordinated forces that may be causing the roll to continue. This action minimizes further input that contributes to the bank, allowing the aircraft to stabilize in the desired turn. By simply returning the control yoke or stick to a neutral position, the pilot can reduce the effective aileron input, halting any unintended steepening of the bank angle. This technique is critical for maintaining controlled flight and ensuring that the aircraft does not enter a situation of excessive bank, which could lead to a loss of control. Other actions such as increasing power or decreasing airspeed may influence the performance of the aircraft during a turn, but they do not directly address the immediate issue of an increasing bank angle. Turning off the engines would lead to a decrease in altitude and could create significant control issues, which is not a practical solution in this scenario.