aircraft in the vicinity. Prior to each maneuver, a clear- ing turn should be accomplished to ensure the practice area is free of conflicting traffic. bank, it skids sideways away from the center of the turn instead of flying in its normal curved pattern. The rectangular course is a training maneuver in which the ground track of the gyroplane is equidistant from all sides of a selected rectangular area on the ground. [Figure 20-10] While performing the maneuver, the altitude and airspeed should be held constant. The rec- tangular course helps you to develop a recognition of a drift toward or away from a line parallel to the intended ground track. This is helpful in recognizing drift toward or from an airport runway during the various legs of the airport traffic pattern. A steep turn is a performance maneuver used in  training that consists of a turn in either direction at a bank angle of approximately 40°. The objective of  performing steep turns is to develop smoothness, coor- dination, orientation, division of attention, and control techniques. For this maneuver, pick a square or rectangular field, or an area bounded on four sides by section lines or roads, where the sides are approximately a mile in length. The area selected should be well away from other air traf- fic. Fly the maneuver approximately 600 to 1,000 feet above the ground, which is the altitude usually required for an airport traffic pattern. You should fly the  gyroplane parallel to and at a uniform distance, about one-fourth to one-half mile, from the field boundaries, not above the boundaries. For best results, position your flight path outside the field boundaries just far enough away that they may be easily observed. You should be able to see the edges of the selected field while seated in a normal position and looking out the side of the gyroplane during either a left-hand or right- hand course. The distance of the ground track from the edges of the field should be the same regardless of whether the course is flown to the left or right. All turns should be started when your gyroplane is abeam the corners of the field boundaries. The bank normally should not exceed 30°.  Prior to initiating a steep turn, or any other flight maneuver, first complete a clearing turn to check the area for traffic. To accomplish this, you may execute either one 180° turn or two 90° turns in opposite  directions. Once the area has been cleared, roll the gyroplane into a 40° angle-of-bank turn while smoothly adding power and slowly moving the cyclic aft to maintain altitude. Maintain coordinated flight with proper rudder pedal pressure. Throughout the turn, cross-reference visual cues outside the gyroplane with the flight instruments, if available, to maintain a con- stant altitude and angle of bank. Anticipate the roll-out by leading the roll-out heading by approximately 20°. Using section lines or prominent landmarks to aid in orientation can be helpful in rolling out on the proper heading. During roll-out, gradually return the cyclic to the original position and reduce power to maintain  altitude and airspeed. Although the rectangular course may be entered from any direction, this discussion assumes entry on a down- wind heading. As you approach the field boundary on the downwind leg, you should begin planning for your turn to the crosswind leg. Since you have a tailwind on the downwind leg, the gyroplane’s groundspeed is increased (position 1). During the turn onto the cross- wind leg, which is the equivalent of the base leg in a traffic pattern, the wind causes the gyroplane to drift away from the field. To counteract this effect, the roll- in should be made at a fairly fast rate with a relatively steep bank (position 2). Ground reference maneuvers are training exercises flown to help you develop a division of attention between the flight path and ground references, while controlling the gyroplane and watching for other  As the turn progresses, the tailwind component decreases, which decreases the groundspeed. Consequently, the bank angle and rate of turn must be reduced gradually to ensure that upon completion of the turn, the crosswind ground track continues to be the same distance from the edge of the field. Upon comple- tion of the turn, the gyroplane should be level and 20-8 GROUND REFERENCE MANEUVERS COMMON ERRORS STEEP TURNS COMMON ERRORS DURING BASIC FLIGHT MANEUVERS RECTANGULAR COURSE 1. Improper coordination of flight controls. 2. Failure to cross-check and correctly interpret  outside and instrument references. 3. Using faulty trim technique. 1. Improper bank and power coordination during entry and rollout. 2. Uncoordinated use of flight controls. 3. Exceeding manufacturer’s recommended maxi- mum bank angle. 4. Improper technique in correcting altitude  deviations. 5. Loss of orientation. 6. Excessive deviation from desired heading during rollout.