TURNS AROUND A POINT + Tips You’ve Never Heard!

[@stewie84]

I wish I could comment with a snapshot of what my very first attempt at “turns around a point” looked like. My instructor was shocked and thought I was off until he looked at my breadcrumbs…. 3 nearly perfect circles, nearly on top of each other…. I watched this video right before I went to that lesson and owe my initial performance and understanding of this maneuver to you.

[@FreePilotTraining]

That is so cool! Thank you for sharing how this video helped you! It’s super motivating for me to keep making these videos!

[@denniswagner3962]

I have watched all your videos. Learned a ton. Passed my checkride today. Thank you. Beers on me.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks Dennis! Congrats on that check ride!

[@FreePilotTraining]

@Navy1977 that’s weird. I haven’t added any brain surgery videos…yet 😆

[@FreePilotTraining]

@Navy1977 thanks! Yes I am. I’m a Herc pilot for the AF, and also do CFI work. Fixing to do more CFI work and less military flying

[@fzakrzewski]

My secret method in C172 is look at the point as compared to the wing spar 😀 it gives you this sweet spot distance (when turning) If the point starts moving to the front of the spar - bank away from the point If the point starts falling behind the spar - bank into the point I can nail perfect circle most of the time

[@FreePilotTraining]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@JoshuaTootell]

My CFI told me to do this.

[@vdubs1112]

This works great with little to no wind, but on a windy day it won't give you a constant radius circle. If you're crabbing correctly on the crosswind portions of the circle, the point shouldn't be aligned with your wingtip.

[@theaveragejoe9385]

I have my check ride on Wednesday. Your videos have made me extremely confident for my test, and made many subjects more understandable. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! 🤞🤞

[@FreePilotTraining]

That means a lot! Thank you and good luck!

[@tomdabomb1562]

How did it go?

[@theaveragejoe9385]

@@tomdabomb1562 DPE had to fly for his commercial job. Also, being in Ohio, we wouldn’t have flown anyways. Friday the 6th! 🤞

[@tomdabomb1562]

@@theaveragejoe9385 that’s funny my PPL check ride is also on Friday the 6th!! Good luck!

[@theaveragejoe9385]

@@tomdabomb1562 I passed! DPE said, “I killed it.” Which is an extremely ironic statement while flying.

[@budowens6478]

We need more CFI’s like you, very good!!!

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks Bud! That means a lot!

[@georgesmith3325]

Great video! For years, I have been teaching students to use an intersection and either the first (1/4 mile) or the 2nd 1/2 mile) section lines as aim points and it always makes them better. This also works for rectangular courses and s turns.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Section lines are perfect for that! Thanks for the comment!

[@macman603]

As a CFI I find these are excellent videos. The only thing I'd add to it relates to choosing the altitude. It's my belief that the reason the FAA specifies 600-1000 is because of the minimum altitude reg. In a congested area I need to be 1000 ft above, etc. In a sparsely populated area it can be 500 ft above, etc - the extra 100 ft gives you a buffer. Judging by the area of your video, the 700 ft is fine. Where I teach we need to use 1000 ft.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thank you! That’s a great point! I figured that was the reason. That, and these seem to be the easiest altitudes to perform the maneuver

[@mohammada6015]

Man idk how to appreciate you more !! U kept coming up non stop one after another bangers !! You don’t know how much your ways of teaching benefited me !! Please bring more ppl menuvers !!! Also a check ride tips and advice video would be appreciated man

[@FreePilotTraining]

That’s awesome! My next video is S-Turns, but I’ll write down Check ride Tips for a future video. Have you seen this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/iJ2Xc2CEgb2tjpIsi=XFR0oSaSoBn5pjnr

[@mohammada6015]

@@FreePilotTraining can’t wait for S turns !! Nope I’ll watch it right now !!

[@WillProwse]

Good video. Awesome graphics

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks! I appreciate that

[@freedomforever6718]

I'm not a pilot but my father was and I want to be. I just want to thank you for your videos. I'm learning a lot.

[@FreePilotTraining]

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@Kenny-bp8ux]

Thank you so much for this, this maneuver have been a hit or miss for me including steep turns and stall (keeping my heading for stall). But i watched this video yesterday 09-25-2023 and went for my flight lessons 09-26-2023, my flight instructor made me do this and i did it exactly the way you demonstrated it here without considering where the wind is coming from. It was perfectly executed and i was so happy for myself. After the maneuver, my CFI said it was perfect but also said that i cheated with adjusting the power to maintain my attitude. Please i will like your take on this. He said that i should set the power and leave it, that the examiner will mark it as cheated. Also your sectional chat videos was so helpful, my CFI was so surprised how i can understand all the symbols in the sectional. Thank you so much and will be waiting for your response.

[@FreePilotTraining]

You’re welcome! I agree with him that you should set the power and leave it, BUT there nothing that says you can’t use power if you need it. If you are bleeding off airspeed, one way you can keep from doing that is to release some back stick pressure on the yoke and viceversa if you are too fast. As far as altitude is concerned, climb or descend with ailerons. It only takes 2 degrees to maintain your altitude with the ailerons. Elevator should be used to maintain your load factor to keep you from descending. I explain that more in my video on steep turns: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ69i4uvmbZje68si=8EXfV1f-q6knXVZL

[@samterrell3265]

I took my check ride about 2 months ago and I went and did S turns and I was about to start with a head wind because I thought it didn’t matter but the dpe kinda hinted that he wanted me to start with a tailwind so I asked him if he wanted me to and he said yes so Idk if I would’ve failed if I didn’t enter with a tailwind but that’s something to keep in mind

[@FreePilotTraining]

Yeah, I doubt he would’ve failed you because it’s not in the ACS, but if your S-turn would’ve looked bad, he could have

[@amineamine1969-n5c]

Good.morning from Morocco ! , amazing video like always

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks!

[@matthewjacques8749]

Can you make one for Rectangular Course?

[@grahambrice7310]

Hi guys, good information but just one important correction. When in the first crosswind position, with the wind blowing you towards the centre of the circle, you said "putting the wingtip just above it" referring to the reference point of your circle. Due to drift the wing tip should actually be in front of the reference point and then on the other (downwind) side of the circle your wing tip should be behind of the reference point in your circle. The wing tip should be pointing at (ie just above) the reference point only when you have a direct head or tail wind. I have found that anticipating this requirement contributes to keeping a perfect circle.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Great tip! Thank you!

[@mercedes4879]

Haha I have the same rooster shirt! I just got started with ground school at Purdue Aviation, my first flight (not counting discovery flight) is on October 9th, your videos have been super helpful and I’m hoping to impress my instructor 😊

[@FreePilotTraining]

😆 it’s a classic. Have fun with the training!

[@mikecoffee100]

Always to the point Thank You ( ynow I had to do a pun ) but honestly though another Awesome lesson.

[@FreePilotTraining]

😆 I’m a dad. I always appreciate a good pun lol

[@mikecoffee100]

@@FreePilotTraining and thank you for serving.

[@KimWentworth-y8e]

Really well explained.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks!

[@justplanefred]

These videos are amazing!

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thank you!

[@justplanefred]

@@FreePilotTrainingyou’re welcome!

[@emergencylowmaneuvering7350]

GRM i taught at the GRM real speed we used when E line Patrols. At Vglide Speed, with 10 degrees flaps. Some CFI's want almost cruise speeds and no flaps. Unreal. You do GRM to see small things on ground like animals. Then they cut the power too much. That is why so many stalls on GRM lke the so called "Moose Stall". And Turnback stalls too. Turnbacks after a flyover have killed many that didnt know GRM Turnbacks. There 2 kinds of. The Teardrop kind and the Hook Turnback" ( both are done to Turnback after a flyover).

[@jamesharris4432]

That was my very first lesson a point turn 👍🏻

[@FreePilotTraining]

Really? That’s cool

[@drollsover7545]

Josh please can you bring emergencies!! I really struggle with those !! Could you please bring engine fire and failure please !!

[@FreePilotTraining]

I definitely have plans to make those videos. I’m currently working on a few others at the moment, but I’ll get those done as soon as possible

[@kevw172]

for me when it comes to TOAP, I have my scan going. Looking at my point, airspeed altitude and wind direction bugged on the heading indicator, yes USE the heading indicator to bug winds and if your plane has a ground speed indicator use that to determine your wind direction at 1000 agl and do a full 360, greatest airspeed is your downwind :) Then find an obvious point and just go from there.

[@kevw172]

Also for me at this stage, forget turns around a point I need to find better tips on steep spirals and power off 180s 🤢

[@FreePilotTraining]

I like the idea of bugging the winds! Great tip!

[@maritestaylor8458]

Thank you

[@FreePilotTraining]

No problem!

[@MI325A]

Hi, Josh. Thank you for another great video. You certainly have a way of making things seem a little bit easier to understand and prepare for application when needed. Then the awesome fact you have the best money back guarantee 😮 than anyone else has (as you mentioned in previous episodes). That just makes it THE BEST "all the way around". 😊 My question isn't directly related to this; however, I would like your advice or thoughts on something with flying, KZbin and the like. So, is there a way to communicate with you directly? Thank you again for all the great help and time efforts you place into these. They are truly appreciated and yes, inspiring with such when times make it seem like, "geez, never gonna get it." Take care and have a great day. -- Matthew

[@FreePilotTraining]

You’re welcome! I really appreciate your comment! PM me on Facebook and I’d be happy to share some tips with you

[@victorcovarrubias3606]

Great video brother. What do you like better A20 or Dave Clark x1 i see you wear both thanks.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks! Bose has slightly better sound. I’d say the David Clark’s are a little more durable and the batteries on the noise canceling last way longer. They’re about the same as far as comfort goes.

[@mattice9083]

This video moght be what im looking for, but lately ive been very interested in energency landings. I know its very situation dependant but maybe like checklist and procedures for CEF would be cool. Or rather maybe could lay out general info about finding best glide and how to judge the distance you can make it. Im notnsure how to practice engine out landings other than turning on the setting fornmy engine to fail in microsoft flight simulator. Lol

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thank you for the heads up! I’m going to make a video about engine out landings at some point. Hopefully I can work on that very soon. I’ve been having quite a few people ask for that

[@mattice9083]

@@FreePilotTraining I'm back and forth cause I'm like sure I'm sure theres other important stuff I should learn, but I'm thinking that seems like one of the most important things to me cause if I don't have an engine I'd like to walk on the ground afterwards 🤣. Thanks for the content tho it helps since I absolutely cannot pay for lessons in the near future

[@FreePilotTraining]

@@mattice9083 it is a very important lesson. I don’t know why I haven’t got a chance to make it yet

[@KevinSmithAviation]

Excellent video Josh. That's a maneuver I need to practice some more before my checkride. I haven't been able to fly in a few weeks. Work has been insane lately and the weather has played a roll a few times as well. I'm in serious need of some altitude therapy. Glad to see you are getting some time home with the family. I hope they are all doing well. Keep up the excellent work. Safe skies my friend 🇺🇸🛩️

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks Kevin! Yeah, hopefully you’ll get back in the plane soon! It definitely improves your quality of life! Lol

[@KevinSmithAviation]

@@FreePilotTraining I'll definitely agree with that.

[@MI325A]

Hi, Josh. Thank you for yet another great video. I'm in my early stages of learning and so all the free* help is greatly appreciated. My question is not directly related to this; however, I would like your thoughts or advice with something. Is there a way to communicate with you directly or shall I just ask the question here? Let me know and I will follow up more in detail. Till next time, thank you again for all your videos; including the fact that there is an awesome *money back guarantee, too, as you mentioned in one of your videos. Great stuff "all the way around". Take care and have a great day. -- Matthew

[@FreePilotTraining]

@@MI325Athanks! PM me on Facebook and I can help you out

[@Tamaal123]

But how do you account for ground speed if you have no METAR info for the current area

[@Tamaal123]

Down wind not GS

[@FreePilotTraining]

I see your correction down below. If you have a GPS you can compare your ground speed with your indicated airspeed and the fastest ground speed will be your downwind

[@channelclosed4037]

More 172 videos !! Since it’s the most used GA airplane

[@FreePilotTraining]

Thanks for the feedback! It’s very likely that more videos will be in a 172 from now on

[@coqueto45]

How much do you need to pull back to maintain Altitude during this?

[@FreePilotTraining]

That depends on the bank. For 45 degrees, you need to pull a little over 1.4 Gs. Less for 30. This will just come with experience

[@coqueto45]

@FreePilotTraining I'm only 4 hours in and we did this for the first time the other day and I was horrible at it... too much attention inside the cockpit I think instead of referencing outside... and I dropped about 100 feet during the steep bank... Just need more practice, but between that and struggling to even keep straight and level and ascend or descend at a specified speed, I walked away from lesson 4 feeling like crap...

[@FreePilotTraining]

@@coqueto45 you most likely need to neutralize the ailerons. I talk about this a little bit in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJ69i4uvmbZje68

[@JoshuaTootell]

If you are only 4 hours in, then just chill. You are putting too much performance pressure on yourself. Get better at the turns, then worry about maintaining speed, then worry about all three combined (I say speed because stalling is bad). Let the CFI handle the extra workload you can't handle yet. If your CFI is putting too much pressure on you, find a new one.

[@TomSmith-kc8mz]

My turns were around a lighthouse over the water. I had nothing to reference on the ground. I just focused on keeping the same sight picture and flew to keep that. Seemed to work.

[@FreePilotTraining]

That’s pretty cool

[@IshFlipsWhips]

My issue is I keep oversteering because of the wind and end up in this dance of too much steering

[@FreePilotTraining]

That just takes practice

[@channelclosed4037]

More 172 videos !!

[@FreePilotTraining]

I’ll keep that in mind!

[@aviatortrucker6285]

What’s the difference between a jet engine and a flight attendant? At the end of the flight the jet engine stops whining

[@FreePilotTraining]

😂

[@aviatortrucker6285]

I hear they’re trying to make flying fridges. It’s a cool concept but I don’t think it’s going to take off.

[@FreePilotTraining]

😂

[@lykinsmotorsports]

These guys looked like they were doing about 70 knots down the taxiway.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Lol it’s called the Southwest Taxi

[@saulsainz1806]

My instructor is agains OBLONG because if I for 1 sec end my bank he consideres the manuever done.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Lol. In strong winds, you will need to come out of the bank

[@saulsainz1806]

@@FreePilotTraining went down the other day to do turns around a point with 30 kts surface winds and when I came out of bank he unsat me.

[@saulsainz1806]

All other parameters within acs

[@aviatortrucker6285]

Wanna know how to make a small fortune with a small charter airline? Start out with a large one.

[@FreePilotTraining]

😆

[@m4ttyb1z]

I love these free videos, but the red on green almost gave me a stroke.

[@FreePilotTraining]

Lol. I really appreciate feedback like this

[@thehardhustlers]

Ive seen all 8 seasons of suits. That pilot is not Mike Ross

[@FreePilotTraining]

😆