AFOQT Practice Test

Which type of turn requires the pilot to maintain a bank angle actively?

1. Shallow turn

2. Medium turn

3. Steep turn

4. All types of turns

The correct answer is: Steep turn

The correct choice is steep turn. In a steep turn, the pilot must actively maintain a higher bank angle, typically above 30 degrees, which results in increased load factors on the aircraft. This requires careful coordination of the controls to sustain the turn without excessive altitude loss or gain, as well as to overcome adverse yaw and maintain a balanced flight. The increased bank angle in steep turns also leads to a sharper turn radius and requires more attention to airflow, speed, and altitude. While shallower and medium turns may require some degree of attention to bank angle, they do not demand the same level of active maintenance that steep turns do. In those turns, the angles are less extreme and generally result in more forgiving flight characteristics where slight variations in bank angle may not require as much pilot intervention. Therefore, the distinct need for active management of the bank angle makes steep turns unique in this context.