Clearing Turns

Before you begin each maneuver in the air, it is critical that you, as a pilot, ensure that the airspace around you is clear of traffic and other hazards. In this video, we take you inside the Cessna 172 to teach you the proper way to perform clearing turns.
www.erau.edu

[@kn761]

To be super extra safe always do clearing turns before clearing turns. That way you'll make sure you're clear before you make sure you're clear.

[@MonteCarloHD]

This is hilarious!

[@c7ry]

the perfect answer to this no sense

[@AwesomeAngryBiker]

Hey don't forget to do a clearing turn to clear the area before doing the clearing turn to ensure the other area is cleared before commencing initial clearing turn

[@josipvrandecic2472]

This tip unfortunately forgets most of ''experienced'' pilots, more than young flyers, because these latter are still under the impression of ''new life among clouds''.Thanks ERAU .

[@isac.2h]

Josip Vrandecic that’s the point, this is for student pilots @ erau

[@BradTraynham]

Your 1st clearing turn should USUALLY be to the left because overtaking aircraft pass you on the right. FAR 91.113 (f)

[@ERAUSpecialVFR]

While it is not a bad idea to clear to the left first, it is not required, nor is it always a best practice. There may be times where it will not be possible to clear to the left first. The FAA gives no specific guidance on how a clearing turn should be made, and actually states that it is up to the individual PIC to determine the best method to use for the situation. In some cases, even a 180 degree may be best. No matter what, if in a high-wing airplane, a pilot should ALWAYS raise the wing in the intended direction of turn to clear the immediate area prior to turning in that direction.

[@WorkWaffle]

@@ERAUSpecialVFR Would it be the opposite for low wing aircraft, in that you'd want to dip the wing slightly in order to see?

[@markherring3513]

@@ERAUSpecialVFR Should you make a clearing turn into the wind or away from the wind? You dont want the wind to catch under the wing, correct? So you would choose a clearing turn into the wind, correct? (i am NOT a pilot..i have never flown a plane..im just going off of watching numerous "first solo flights" and student training vids for the first time ever this week)

[@pvtdipwad2944]

@@WorkWaffle Yes. The point of raising/lowering the wing before turning is to make sure nothing is in your blind spots.

[@pvtdipwad2944]

@@markherring3513 So when you're flying, you do usually pay attention to winds but since your clearing turns go in both directions it doesn't really matter as long as you watch your instruments. Into the wind is preferable always.

[@PMNeu]

my DPE told me if I find where it says in the acs to make clearing turns he would give me back my checkride fee

[@gaulbaugh]

It's actually step one on every maneuver in skills section in the ACS (e.g Page 35 V Performance and Ground Reference Maneuvers, Skills, PA.V.A.S1. "The applicant demonstrates the ability to: clear the area." So even though it doesn't say perform "clearing turns" the pilot should still perform some sort of "clearing" activity. As you cannot see behind you very well in an airplane, the next logical thing to do would be to perform clearing turns. If you would like to be responsible for possibly killing someone in a mi-air collision, by all means, skip the clearing turns.