Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your IFR Certification!

To maintain a constant altitude during a turn when airspeed is increased, it's necessary to modify the aircraft's bank angle and/or the angle of attack. When airspeed increases, the lift generated by the wings also increases due to the greater flow of air over the wings. However, if the lift is not balanced with the weight of the aircraft during a turn, the aircraft will begin to climb.

By increasing the angle of bank, the load factor increases, which helps to counteract the additional lift at a higher airspeed. This enhances the turning performance while helping maintain altitude. Alternatively, decreasing the angle of attack will reduce the lift produced by the wings. This adjustment is also effective in balancing the increase in airspeed, allowing for a constant altitude during the maneuver.

This understanding of aerodynamics is crucial for pilots to ensure safe and controlled flight operations, especially in instrument conditions where maintaining altitude is essential.