Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What must a pilot do when starting a turn toward a pylon in eights on pylons?

1. Start turning when directly over the pylon

2. Lower the upwind wing to maintain sight on the pylon

3. Increase groundspeed to avoid stalling

4. Maintain straight flight until past the pylon

The correct answer is: Lower the upwind wing to maintain sight on the pylon

When executing a turn toward a pylon in the eights on pylons maneuver, the pilot must lower the upwind wing to maintain visual reference on the pylon. This technique helps to counteract the effects of the wind, which can push the aircraft away from the intended flight path. By lowering the upwind wing, the pilot effectively banks the airplane into the wind, allowing for better coordination and a tighter turn while keeping the pylon in sight. This visual reference is essential for maintaining the intended flight path and ensuring the maneuver is performed accurately and safely. While the other actions may seem plausible, they do not directly achieve the goal of maintaining sight of the pylon during the maneuver. Starting a turn when directly over the pylon could result in an overshoot due to inertia and wind. Increasing groundspeed is not necessary and could lead to control issues. Maintaining straight flight until past the pylon would not effectively initiate the turn required to navigate towards the pylon in a controlled manner. Therefore, lowering the upwind wing is the correct action to successfully execute this maneuver.