The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s Air Safety Institute (ASI) has released a new episode of its Reality Check video series focused on a topic that never seems to lose any energy, at least in the debate: the 180-degree turn back to the runway after an engine failure just after takeoff. Traditionally, most of the debate focuses on how few pilots are able to successfully execute this (actually) 270-degree-plus maneuver because it requires a significant amount of planning, as well as a serious understanding of the glide characteristics of the aircraft being flown. Each one is a little different.
AOPA’s Air Safety Institute Releases Video About “The Impossible Turn”
Key Takeaways:
- AOPA's Air Safety Institute (ASI) released a new *Reality Check* video exploring the controversial 180-degree turn-back maneuver following an engine failure immediately after takeoff.
- Tests conducted by ASI revealed that successfully returning to the runway is nearly impossible for high-glide-speed aircraft like the Beechcraft A36 Bonanza, even with prior planning and simulated engine failures.
- While lighter aircraft showed more success under controlled conditions, the maneuver is generally difficult, and the "startle factor" in a real-world emergency significantly reduces its feasibility for most pilots.
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