What's the deal with eights on pylons?

[Hckey2477]

I understand why we do commercial maneuvers. to gain proficiency. But I don't understand why we do eights on pylons. it seems steep spirals, steep turns, stalls, slow flight, lazy eights and chandelles have a meaning to them. But what is the story behind eights on pylons. they just seem meaningless to me.

 

[Champcar]

I understand why we do commercial maneuvers. to gain proficiency. But I don't understand why we do eights on pylons. it seems steep spirals, steep turns, stalls, slow flight, lazy eights and chandelles have a meaning to them. But what is the story behind eights on pylons. they just seem meaningless to me.

It's fun. I really enjoyed my Commercial Single, so just enjoy it and stop wondering why.

One of the points of the Commercial is to show that you have "Mastered" the aircraft and polished your flying skills, this is just one way of showing that.

 

[Orange Anchor]

I understand why we do commercial maneuvers. to gain proficiency. But I don't understand why we do eights on pylons. it seems steep spirals, steep turns, stalls, slow flight, lazy eights and chandelles have a meaning to them. But what is the story behind eights on pylons. they just seem meaningless to me.

Drawing constant circles over a given space requires you to compensate for the winds. You will have to constantly vary bank angle to keep the circle the same size.

Steep turns.. control and cross check
Slow flight.. .precise handling at high angles of attack
Lazy eights... handling and control over a range of speeds
Chandelles...handling and control over a range of speeds.
Stalls.. recognition and recovery.

But equally important, ASK YOUR INSTRUCTOR. You are paying him/her to teach you and answer questions.

 

[Clocks]

You don't draw circles when you do 8's on pylons, unless there is 0 wind.

Anyways the FAA says

The pylon eight is the most advanced and most difficult of the low altitude flight training maneuvers. Because of the various techniques involved, the pylon eight is unsurpassed for teaching, developing, and testing subconscious control of the airplane.

http://www.faa.gov/library/manuals/aircraft/airplane_handbook/

 

[Schinpop]

Teaches you to make small, smooth control inputs - or it should, anyway.

 

[Cptnchia]

You don't draw circles when you do 8's on pylons, unless there is 0 wind.

If you properly compensate and correct for wind drift, you do.

 

[Clocks]

If you properly compensate and correct for wind drift, you do.

Unlike eights around pylons, however, no attempt is made to maintain a uniform distance from the pylon. In eights-on-pylons, the distance from the pylons varies if there is any wind. Instead, the airplane is flown at such a precise altitude and airspeed that a line parallel to the airplane’s lateral axis, and extending from the pilot’s eye, appears to pivot on each of the pylons.

 

[E_Dawg]

This maneuver is really, really easy if you cheat.

Looking down the wing, if the pylon moves back, pull back. If the pylon moves forward, push forward.

 

[surreal1221]

This maneuver is really, really easy if you cheat.

Looking down the wing, if the pylon moves back, pull back. If the pylon moves forward, push forward.

I wouldn't consider that cheating, I'd consider that adjusting ones altitude in relation to their ground speed.

Cheating on Eights on Pylons is using the rudder to keep the reference line on the pylon.

 

[tgrayson]

If you properly compensate and correct for wind drift, you do.

That isn't part of the criteria of eights on pylons.

 

[Hckey2477]

That's how I do the eights on pylons, is by pitch. I threw a rudder in there once and my instructor laughed and told me I would bust the checkride if i did that.

 

[CoffeeIcePapers]

That's how I do the eights on pylons, is by pitch. I threw a rudder in there once and my instructor laughed and told me I would bust the checkride if i did that.

Rudder is cheating. You aren't supposed to slip or skid the airplane.

I hate teaching the Commercial maneuvers, sans Chandelles.

 

[jwp_145]

Yeah I was in the ASEL Comm add-on department at my last job and signed off eight kids in two weeks. As easy as it was I went crazy teaching those maneuvers in those two weeks.

 

[derg]

I understand why we do commercial maneuvers. to gain proficiency. But I don't understand why we do eights on pylons. it seems steep spirals, steep turns, stalls, slow flight, lazy eights and chandelles have a meaning to them. But what is the story behind eights on pylons. they just seem meaningless to me.

Division of attention.

 

[taildragger173]

I believe that it had to do with gun turrets on airplanes in world war 2.

 

[ILS37R]

I wouldn't consider that cheating, I'd consider that adjusting ones altitude in relation to their ground speed.

Cheating on Eights on Pylons is using the rudder to keep the reference line on the pylon.

:yeahthat:

Cross-control and low altitude should generally not be put together. Cheating with rudder will get you busted on a checkride (but do keep the aircraft coordinated).

Noting the distance between your reference point and the pylon and adjusting pitch and altitude accordingly is exactly how you're supposed to do the maneuver.

8s-on-pylons is all about precise aircraft control and division of attention.

 

[Speed Pilot]

If you've ever done aerial photograpy flights you'll use eights on pylons quite a bit.

 

[Trip7]

I believe that it had to do with gun turrets on airplanes in world war 2.

:yeahthat: Lot of the commercial maneuvers are World War II maneuvers. Thats why many believe on the eve of a significant pilot shortage the outdated method of training pilots needs to be updated, at least for airline pilots.

 

[cfii2007]

Yeah, I just stare at my desk; but it looks like I'm working. I do that for probably another hour after lunch, too. I'd say in a given week I probably only do about fifteen minutes of real, actual, work.

I love Office Space.

 

[germb747]

This maneuver is really, really easy if you cheat.

Looking down the wing, if the pylon moves back, pull back. If the pylon moves forward, push forward.

Ha! ha! didn't know that was cheating--I always did it that way!

I believe that it had to do with gun turrets on airplanes in world war 2.

Funny, not even the military teaches the maneuver at UPT anymore.