Power Hour Lesson Outlines

Outline:

1. Introduction to Eights-on-Pylons

   • Overview of the maneuver as more than rote understanding.

   • Describes the figure-eight pattern, focusing on keeping the pilot’s line of sight on the pylon.

2. Defining the Maneuver

   • Objective: Maintain visual alignment on the pylon during turns.

   • Visual Effect: The pylon appears to pivot relative to the aircraft’s line of sight.

3. Pivotal Altitude

   • Concept: The altitude at which the pylon appears stationary.

   • Factors Influencing Pivotal Altitude: Ground speed, radius of turn, and line of sight.

   • Adjustments:

     • Descend if altitude is too high (aircraft wing appears to move backward).

     • Ascend if altitude is too low (wing appears to move forward).

4. Effects of Ground Speed

   • Pivotal altitude changes with variations in ground speed.

   • Requires recalculation for headwinds and tailwinds but only at the highest required pivotal altitude.

5. Maintaining the Maneuver

   • The maneuver is a fixed-power, variable-airspeed activity.

   • “Doubling Effect”: Adjustments in altitude during the maneuver affect ground speed and pivotal altitude.

6. Practical Applications

   • Real-World Usage: Allows object drop-offs in confined areas without landing (e.g., military, missionary applications).

   • Historical Usage: US Air Force patent and missionary use for bucket drop-offs.

7. Training and Visual Perception Development

   • Helps develop a pilot’s ability to fly using external visual cues.

   • Emphasizes why the Airplane Flying Handbook (AFH) illustration may misrepresent the maneuver's radius with wind considerations.

8. Effect of Wind on Radius and Line of Sight

   • Wind Impact: Constant radius is challenging with crosswinds, as roll-on points vary depending on wind direction.

   • Line of Sight Adjustments: Varies with wind shifts, causing pylon alignment to shift relative to the airplane.

9. Mathematical Derivation of Pivotal Altitude

   • Formula for calculating pivotal altitude based on ground speed.

   • Derivation from physics, using centripetal force and lift equations to determine altitude relative to ground speed.

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