FLYING Magazine
Question: I have just started my flight training, and I have learned how to do a clearing turn. It makes sense to me to look around before you do a maneuver, but why is it always to the left? My CFI has me doing a 360-degree turn. I asked my CFI, and he said that’s how he learned it, so that’s how he’s teaching me. Is there more to it than that?
Answer: I am sure your CFI did learn to make the clearing turn to the left. The 360-degree turn is a good choice, and there are also instructors who use two 180-degree turns—first to the left then to the right to clear the area before a maneuver is attempted.
- READ MORE: How Long Does It Take to Get the CFII?
The reason the first turn is made to the left is because, in theory, if another aircraft is overtaking you, it will be passing off your right side. Turning to the left gives you a better chance of avoiding the traffic. That being said, always make the turn a three-part process—look left (or right), clear left (or right), turn left (or right).
The important thing to remember when doing clearing turns is to look around to clear the area. There are some pilots who simply roll into the turn when told to do one without looking outside of the aircraft. This negates the efficiency of the turn. Please don’t be that pilot.
If you’re in a maneuver and see another aircraft getting too close, break off the maneuver and take prompt and corrective action to avoid the other aircraft.
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