performance limits. Smoothness of control use, coordination,  and accuracy of execution are the important features of this  maneuver. The steep turn maneuver consists of a level turn in either  direction using a bank angle between 45° to 60°. This causes  an overbanking tendency during which maximum turning  performance is attained and relatively high load factors are  imposed. Because of the high load factors imposed, these  turns should be performed at an airspeed that does not exceed  the aircraft’s design maneuvering speed (V$_{A}$). The principles  of an ordinary steep turn apply, but as a practice maneuver  the steep turns should be continued until 360° or 720° of turn  have been completed.  [Figure 6-19] An aircraft’s maximum turning performance is its fastest  rate of turn and its shortest radius of turn, which change  with both airspeed and angle of bank. Each aircraft’s turning  performance is limited by the amount of power its engine is  developing, its limit load factor (structural strength), and its  aerodynamic characteristics. Do not exceed the maximum  bank angle limitation in the POH. For example, a maximum  60° bank angle is a limit used by many manufacturers. The pilot should realize the tremendous additional load that  is imposed on an aircraft as the bank is increased beyond  45°. During a coordinated turn with a 60° bank, a load factor  of approximately 2 Gs is placed on the aircraft’s structure.  Regardless of the airspeed or the type of aircraft involved,  a given angle of bank in a turn during which altitude is  maintained always produces the same load factor. Pilots must  be aware that an additional load factor increases the stalling  speed at a significant rate—stalling speed increases with the  square root of the load factor. For example, a light aircraft that  stalls at 40 knots in level flight stalls at nearly 57 knots in a  60° bank. The pilot’s understanding and observance of this  fact is an indispensable safety precaution for the performance  of all maneuvers requiring turns. Before starting the steep turn, the pilot should ensure that the  area is clear of other air traffic since the rate of turn is quite  rapid. After establishing the manufacturer’s recommended  entry speed or the design maneuvering speed, the aircraft  should be smoothly rolled into a selected bank angle between  45° to 60° and the throttle increased to maintain level fl ight.  Always perfect the steep turn at 45° and slowly work up to  higher bank angles. As the turn is being established, control  bar forward pressure should be smoothly increased to  increase the angle of attack. This provides the additional wing  lift required to compensate for the increasing load factor. After the selected bank angle has been reached, the pilot  finds that considerable force is required on the control bar  and increased throttle is required to hold the aircraft in level  flight—to maintain altitude. Because of this increase in the  force applied to the control bar, the load factor increases  Figure 6-19. Steep turns.  6-18