Ground Reference Maneuvers

  • Rectangular Course
  • S-Turns
  • Turns around a point
  • Check for traffic – ground track – obstructions
  • Enter the maneuver on the downwind
  • Perform the maneuver 600-1000 feet AGL
  • Altitude +-100 feet and airspeed +-10 knots
  1. Clear area of terrain, obstacles, possible airspace incursion, and other aircraft
  2. Select a suitable ground reference
  3. Identify a suitable emergency landing area
  4. Plan the maneuver:
    1. Rectangular Course (600-1000 feet AGL)
    2. S-turns (600-1000 feet AGL)
    3. Turns Around a Point (600-1000 feet AGL)
  5. Apply adequate wind-drift correction during straight and turning flight to maintain a constant ground track
  6. If performing a pattern such as S-turns, reverse the turn directly over the selected reference line; if performing turns around a point, complete turns in either direction around the select reference point.
  7. Divide attention between airplane control, traffic avoidance, and ground track while maintaining coordinated flight.
  8. Maintain altitude +-100 feet maintain airspeed +-10 knots
  • Higher ground speed means higher radius so compensate with higher rate of turn
  • High speed is steep turn, crosswind is no change in speed (medium turn) lower speed is shallow