Lazy Eights

The lazy eight develops the proper coordination of the flight controls across a wide range of airspeeds and attitudes. Throughout the maneuver, flight controls are never constant. Prominent reference points must be selected on the natural horizon at 45º, 90º, and 135º from the direction in which the maneuver is started for each 180º turn.

From level flight, a gradual climbing turn is begun in the direction of the 45º reference point, where the maximum pitch-up attitude is reached, as well as a 15º bank angle. As airspeed decreases, the rate of turn increases. Also, as airspeed increases, more rudder input will be required to counter left-turning propeller forces.

Beyond the 45º reference point, the pitch-up attitude should begin to decrease slowly toward the horizon until the 90º reference point is reached, where the pitch attitude should be momentarily level with a bank angle of 30º. Airspeed should be 5-10 knots above stall speed.

A the 90º point, where airspeed is lowest, it's possible for opposing aileron and rudder pressures to be required to maintain coordinated flight. This is because of the increased right rudder pressure required to overcome propeller forces at lower airspeeds.

On the descending portion of the turn, the bank should slowly roll out as the pitch attitude decreases The lowest pitch attitude should occur at the 135º reference point.

The wings and nose should be level at the original airspeed just as the 180º point is reached. A climbing turn is then started immediately in the opposite direction to complete the second half of the lazy eight.