Stall Turns and Variations

Scale turnaround maneuvers to add to your flight log

Aerobatics Made Easy Stall Turns and Variations

The stall turn, or “hammerhead” as it is known in some circles, is a basic aerobatic maneuver that’s pretty easy to fly, and just about any plane can do it. The stall turn is featured in nearly every sequence, from basic all the way to unlimited. It’s easy because it requires that the pilot move only one control at a time—that is, you move one control and then another, one after the other, without any overlapping stick movements. Average sport pilots can easily fly a simple version of the stall turn, but more complex stall turns with rolls or snap rolls on their uplines and downlines are challenging, even for the best pilots with the hottest aerobatic aircraft. The stall turn is often used as a turnaround maneuver. Because lots of challenging components can be incorporated, its difficulty can be intensified as your flying skills increase. The best part, though, is that, in its basic form, it is the perfect springboard for entry-level aerobatic pilots.

PREPARING FOR THE STALL

Before you try even a basic stall turn, trim your plane for steady and level flight. Also make sure that it’s balanced so that it will pivot correctly at the apex of the maneuver. Pilots should be proficient enough to keep the plane flying straight and level before they pull into a wellexecuted vertical upline. Knowing how to use rudder and aileron will help keep the uplines and downlines looking good.

You don’t need a high-end, aerobaticcaliber plane to fly a basic stall turn; any plane that offers an adequate vertical performance should be capable of doing it. For the intricate variations that include rolls and snap rolls on the uplines and downlines, you’ll need an airplane with a good-enough power-to-weight ratio to ensure an extended vertical climbout.

LET’S GET TO IT

The basic stall turn requires precision timing and consists of a quarter loop with a vertical upline. At the top of the vertical upline, the plane stops and pivots around its center of gravity. It then flies a vertical downline, and the maneuver ends

with another quarter loop (see Figure 1).

Begin the stall turn by doing a flyby down the runway with the plane straight and level and upright. When it has passed your position and is flying away from you, go to full power and pull into a quarter inside loop to establish a straight vertical upline. It is extremely important to fly straight and level before you enter the quarter inside loop. If one wing is even slightly low, the vertical upline will not be straight and you will have to make a noticeable correction with your rudder. If you notice that one wing is lower than the other when the plane flies by, make a slight aileron correction to level the wings before you pull into the quarter inside loop.

After you’ve established a well-executed vertical upline, reduce the throttle to idle and wait until the plane slows just enough for you to throw in full rudder. This will cause the plane to pivot around its center of gravity until the nose is pointing downward. Then release the rudder, and if necessary, add opposite rudder so that the plane flies down the same vertical axis as it climbed. If these moves are timed correctly, the plane will rudder-pivot exactly when its forward movement stops—hence, “stall turn.” Continue to fly a vertical downline at idle, and fly another quarter inside loop at the same altitude as you entered the maneuver.

PROBLEMS?

As previously mentioned, the stall turn requires precise timing. Wait too long to pivot and the plane will flop—that is, it will fall in any direction—and this may include a tail slide or a downward slide before the pivot. Some planes require a quick blast of air from the prop at the apex of the maneuver to give the rudder enough authority to pivot it on its center of