Commercial Pilot Maneuvers
The precision flight manoeuvres unique to the commercial certificate — chandelles, lazy eights, eights-on-pylons, steep spirals and the power-off 180.
The commercial pilot certificate is about precision and smoothness. Beyond the airline-transport-level knowledge, the commercial checkride adds a set of performance manoeuvres that demonstrate fine aircraft control. They are graded against the Commercial Pilot ACS.
The manoeuvres
- Steep turns — typically 50° of bank, holding altitude and rolling out on heading.
- Chandelle — a maximum-performance 180° climbing turn, trading airspeed for altitude, ending just above a stall wings-level on the reciprocal heading.
- Lazy eight — two linked, symmetrical climbing-and-descending turns that trace a figure-eight on the horizon, a continuous change of pitch, bank and airspeed.
- Steep spiral — a gliding descending turn around a ground point, maintaining a constant radius against the wind through at least 1,080° of turn.
- Eights on pylons — turns around two points holding a pivotal altitude, keeping a line-of-sight reference on each pylon.
- Power-off 180° accuracy approach and landing — from downwind abeam the touchdown point, power to idle and land within a defined distance of a chosen spot.
What the examiner wants
Each manoeuvre has ACS tolerances, but the theme is coordination and planning: smooth, symmetrical control inputs, constant wind correction, and a result that looks deliberate rather than salvaged. Precision landings and energy management run through all of it. The oral and remaining flight tasks build on the private and instrument standards you already hold.
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*Reference and training only — not for navigation or as legal advice. Always consult the current 14 CFR, the AIM, your aircraft’s POH/AFM and a certificated flight instructor.*