Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

During a Chandelle, when should climb power be applied?

1. At the start of the turn

2. Once reaching the 90-degree point

3. At the end of the maneuver

4. After rolling out of the bank

The correct answer is: Once reaching the 90-degree point

In a Chandelle, the correct moment to apply climb power is once reaching the 90-degree point of the turn. This strategic timing is essential because the Chandelle is a coordinated climbing turn that is performed to develop maximum aerodynamic efficiency. At the 90-degree point, the aircraft is nearing the top of the turn and requires a power increase to maintain the desired climb angle and airspeed. Applying more power at this juncture ensures that the aircraft can continue to gain altitude effectively while completing the maneuver. This moment coincides with reaching the steepest part of the climb and transitioning towards the recovery phase of the Chandelle. Applying climb power too early, such as at the start of the turn, could lead to unwanted excess airspeed or an increased rate of descent, while applying it too late might not provide enough thrust to maintain a stable climb. Therefore, it is critical to time the power application correctly at the 90-degree point.