6.18. Lazy Eight (Figure 6.5).

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6.18.1. Objective. Maintain coordinated flight through two successive, symmetric, opposite direction turns that define the maneuver.

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6.18.2. Description. This is a slow, lazy maneuver that describes a horizontal figure eight at the horizon. The horizon line bisects this figure eight lengthwise. Pitch, bank, and airspeed constantly change. The maneuver is complete after two 180-degree turns with the aircraft in level flight and on entry airspeed.

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6.18.2.1. Airspeed – 200-220 KIAS.

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6.18.2.2. Power –50-60% torque.

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6.18.2.3. Attitude – Entry: wings level, Maximum bank: 90 degrees, Maximum pitch: 45 degrees nose-high.

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6.18.2.4. Altitude - Approximately 2,000 feet above and 1,000 below entry altitude.

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6.18.2.5. FCP visual reference - Bottom foot on or slightly above horizon at top of leaf, feet splitting horizon as you come through horizon, top foot on horizon at bottom of leaf.

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6.18.3. Procedure. Control pressure constantly changes due to changing bank, pitch, and airspeed. To help fly symmetrical leaves, select a prominent point on the horizon (90 degrees off aircraft heading, for example, off the shoulder) or a ground reference, such as a section line or road (perpendicular to aircraft). Selected points should be far enough from the aircraft (not beneath the wing) so you don’t fly over it. Mentally project an imaginary line from the aircraft to the horizon. Look in the direction of flight turn and clear throughout the maneuver.

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6.18.3.1. Begin in straight-and-level flight with briefed entry airspeed and power setting. Select the desired reference point on the horizon or ground, and align the aircraft so the reference point is directly off a wingtip. Blend aileron, rudder, and elevator pressures simultaneously to start a gradual climbing turn in the direction of the reference point. The initial bank should be very shallow to prevent excessive turn rate. As the nose is raised, the airspeed decreases, causing the rate of turn to increase. Time the turn and pull-up so the nose reaches the highest pitch attitude (approximately 45 degrees) when the aircraft has turned 45 degrees or halfway to the reference point. Use outside references and the attitude indicator to cross-check these pitch and bank attitudes. Bank continues to increase as the nose falls. The aircraft should be pointed at the reference point as a maximum bank of 80- 90 degrees is reached and the nose reaches the horizon. The lowest airspeed occurs just as the nose reaches the horizon (approximately 100 knots below entry airspeed).

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6.18.3.2. Avoid freezing the pitch or bank at the horizon. Passing the horizon, let the nose fall, and begin rolling out of bank. The second half of the leaf (nose below horizon) should be symmetric and approximately the same size as the first half (nose above the horizon). The bank should change at the same rate as during the nose-up portion of the leaf. When the aircraft has turned 135 degrees, the nose should be at its lowest attitude and the bank should be 45 degrees. Continue blending control stick and rudder pressure to simultaneously raise the nose and level the wings. Monitor the progress of the turn by checking the outside reference point (off opposite shoulder from maneuver start). The aircraft should be wings level at entry airspeed as the nose reaches the horizon, having completed 180 degrees of turn. Without pausing, begin the second leaf in the opposite direction of the first.

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6.18.4. Technique.

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6.18.4.1. Set up perpendicular to a long road or section line. Visualize the road as the straight line part of a dollar sign ($). The two turns of the maneuver complete the “S” portion of the dollar sign. If ground references are unavailable, the heading bug can be set to the initial heading and used to monitor the progress of the turns.

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6.18.4.2. During the nose-up part of turns, pull to put the bottom foot (heel on inside of turn) on top of the horizon or slightly above and roll around it until reaching approximately 60-degree bank. The nose will begin to fall at 60- to 90-degrees of bank. Use bank to control the lift vector and achieve the desired nose low pitch attitude without freezing at 90-degrees of bank. It is permissible to vary the roll rate to control the lift vector without stagnating. Proper lift vector control is the key to a successful lazy eight. Use rudder as required to keep the ball centered.

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6.18.4.3. When bringing the nose back to the horizon from a nose-low attitude, the number of knots below wings level airspeed should be approximately equal to the number of degrees nose low. For example, if the desired wings-level airspeed is 220 KIAS, the airspeed should be approximately 190 KIAS at 30 degrees nose low, 200 KIAS at 20 degrees nose low, etc.

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