IMMELMANN TURN BY THE NUMBERS

Originally a combat maneuver developed to change heading 180 degrees and gain altitude quickly, this maneuver has become one of the most recognizable turnaround moves in aerobatics. It is actually a half loop followed by a half roll. You usually enter an Immelmann turn when you are flying into the wind. It is also a perfect transition from a low exit maneuver to a high-entry maneuver. STEP 1

Begin the maneuver flying straight and level at half throttle.

STEP 2

Pull back on the elevator, and begin a half loop while controlling your tracking with rudder.

STEP 3

When you are inverted directly above the starting point, execute a half roll so that the plane is flying in the opposite direction in which it started and at a higher altitude.

STEP 4

Maintain straight and level flight, and exit the maneuver.