Like many aviation maneuvers we train and test, chandelles are “non-operational.” That means they have no practical application in daily flying. For this reason, some people object to their necessity at all and argue for their elimination from the ACS. (They would delete the whole Chapter 10 of the Airplane Flying Handbook). But chandelles build and demonstrate essential piloting skills, leading to mastery of the aircraft and safer flying. This is why chandelles are in the commercial ACS. They improve rudder coordination and pitch control during climbing turns. They are a great skill-builder for *all* pilots.
At the heart of the chandelle is a paradoxical necessity known as “cross-coordination.” Many new pilots think that crossing the controls is, by definition, dangerous. As a consequence, many pilots with this misconception climb and turn (especially in high-power aircraft) uncoordinated (and hence dangerously). Many pilots fly a complete traffic pattern in a skidding condition due to failure to add the required right rudder.
In stabilized climbing turns (like in the pattern), right rudder is still a necessity – just like in a straight climb. A right or left climbing turn (especially in the exaggerated pitch of a chandelle) requires aileron in one direction and the rudder in another to maintain coordination. The last part of a right chandelle has the right rudder almost to the floor, with the ailerons twisted to the left. This cross-control results in coordinated flight. The rudder is necessary to counteract all the climb forces. The plane is safe and stable, with the ball centered. just a whisker below stall speed, demonstrating flight mastery!
How to Fly a Chandelle (AFH Chpt. 10)
The chandelle is a maximum-performance 180-degree climbing turn, starting in cruise flight and ending at Minimum Controllable Airspeed (MCA). The first 90 degrees of turn requires a smooth pitch increase with a thirty-degree bank and the simultaneous application of full power. The *ideal pitch* (which will result in the perfect deceleration to MCA) is achieved by the 90-degree point of turn. Passing the first 90-degree point, the plane is smoothly rolled to wing level through the last 90 degrees of turn. To maintain coordination and the proper pitch, ever-increasing control pressure is required (due to increasing left-turning forces and diminishing control effectiveness) . Opposite aileron prevents proverse (yaw-induced) roll. It takes a bit of practice to find the “ideal pitch” (about 12 degrees up) and develop the smooth control handling to master this maneuver. The secret of “non-operational” maneuvers, though, is that all your flying will benefit from this practice and performance.
Baby Steps First (always start with the basics)
