The chandelle

A maximum-performance 180-degree climbing turn, flown in two halves: constant bank first, then constant pitch.

13 min read · The commercial maneuvers

After this lesson you can

  • Describe the chandelle as two distinct 90-degree halves and state what stays constant in each.
  • Explain why the timing of maximum pitch-up at the 90-degree point determines success or failure of the whole maneuver.
  • Anticipate the rudder pressure a chandelle demands as airspeed decays toward the exit.
  • State the ACS completion standards for bank, heading, and exit airspeed.

A chandelle looks, from the ground, like a decorative maneuver: an airplane banks, climbs, and ends up flying the opposite direction. The Airplane Flying Handbook defines it precisely as a maximum performance 180-degree climbing turn that begins from approximately straight-and-level flight and ends wings-level, nose-high, just above stall speed. The point is not the shape. The point is converting every bit of available energy and power into altitude gain while turning 180 degrees, without ever stalling.

The maneuver is judged on proficiency, not on how much altitude was actually gained. Two pilots flying the same airplane at the same power and bank angle should gain nearly the same altitude if both fly it correctly; the one who gains less has left performance on the table somewhere in the sequence.

The chandelle divides cleanly into two 90-degree halves, and confusing which parameter is held constant in which half is the single most common way to fail it.

The rest of this lesson

  1. 1.Two halves, two different jobs
  2. 2.The 90-degree point: the whole maneuver hinges here
  3. 3.Rudder pressure: it only grows
  4. 4.Full sequence
  5. 5.ACS standards and common errors
  6. 6.The aerodynamics under the chandelle: overbanking, maneuvering speed, and the accelerated stall
  7. 7.The risks the ACS attaches to the chandelle

These 7 sections, their figures, the checks along the way and the end-of-lesson quiz come with the CPL track. Paid once, yours for good.

See what the CPL track costsEvery module 1 is free to read, no account, no card.

Key terms

Try to recall each definition before turning the card.