content_image/512248.jpg
<img src='content_image/512248.jpg'>

• Failure to establish a constant, level altitude prior to entering the maneuver. 

• Failure to maintain adequate altitude control during the maneuver. 

• Failure to properly assess wind direction. 

• Failure to properly execute constant radius turns. 

• Failure to manipulate the flight controls in a smooth and continuous manner. 

• Failure to establish the appropriate wind correction angles. 

• Failure to apply coordinated aileron and rudder pressure, resulting in slips or skids. 

• Failure to maintain orientation as the maneuver progresses. 

## Eights-on-Pylons 

The eights-on-pylons is the most advanced and difficult of the ground reference maneuvers. Because of the techniques involved, the eights-on-pylons are unmatched for developing 

intuitive control of the airplane. Similar to eights around pylons except altitude is varied to maintain a specific visual reference to the pivot points. 

The goal of the eights-on-pylons is to have an imaginary line that extends from the pilot’s eyes to the pylon. This line must be imagined to always be parallel to the airplane’s lateral axis. Along this line, the airplane appears to pivot as it turns around the pylon. In other words, if a taut string extended from the airplane to the pylon, the string would remain parallel to lateral axis as the airplane turned around the pylon. At no time should the string be at an angle to the lateral axis. [Figure 6-10]  In explaining the performance of eights-on-pylons, the term “wingtip” is frequently considered as being synonymous with the proper visual reference line or pivot point on the airplane. This interpretation is not always correct. High-wing, low-wing, sweptwing, and tapered wing airplanes, as well as those with tandem or side-by-side seating, all present different angles from the pilot’s eye to the wingtip. [Figure 6-11] 

