Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

Which standard must a student adhere to while performing "turns about a point"?

1. Maintains altitude, ±100 ft, maintains airspeed, ±10 knots

2. Applies adequate wind drift correction

3. Maintains constant airspeed while climbing

4. Flies at a maximum bank of 60 degrees

The correct answer is: Applies adequate wind drift correction

When performing "turns about a point," the student must apply adequate wind drift correction as the correct standard. This maneuver often takes place at a low altitude and is influenced significantly by wind. As the aircraft turns around a fixed point on the ground, the wind will have an effect on the aircraft's path. The primary goal is to ensure that the aircraft stays within a defined pattern around the point, which requires the pilot to recognize wind direction and adjust the flight path accordingly to maintain a consistent radius. This adjustment effectively compensates for the wind's impact, ensuring that the maneuver is executed safely and effectively. Maintaining altitude and airspeed is indeed important in many aspects of flight training, but during this specific maneuver it is crucial to focus on correcting for wind drift to avoid any potential deviations from the intended flight path. While other options mention important flying principles, they may not directly address the unique requirements of this maneuver as effectively as applying wind drift correction does.