Objectives:
Upon completion of this lesson, the student will:
•	Be able to perform 8s on pylons.
•	Be able to calculate the pivotal altitude for the maneuver.
•	Continue to develop situational awareness and division of attention skills.
Elements:
•	8s on Pylons
•	Pivotal altitude
•	Situational Awareness/Division of Attention
Schedule:
•	Pre-lesson briefing								00:10
•	Pre-Flight and flight to practice area						00:15
•	8s on pylons									00:20
•	Post-flight procedures								00:10
•	Post-lesson debriefing								00:15
Total:	01:10
Equipment:
•	Chalkboard or paper and pencil
•	Model airplane to demonstrate maneuver.
Instructor Actions:
1.	Pre-lesson briefing
•	Present lesson objective.
•	Describe what will take place during the lesson.
•	Explain the maneuver (pivotal altitude, sight reference point, reference line ahead of pylon – climb, reference line behind pylon – descend).
•	Pivotal Altitude = Groundspeed (MPH) ** 2 / 15
•	Pivotal Altitude = Groundspeed (Knots) ** 2 / 11.3
2.	Pre-flight and flight to practice area
•	Perform pre-flight and pre-takeoff procedures using appropriate checklists
•	Takeoff and fly to practice area on headings (+/- 100) and at altitudes (+/- 100 ft.) specified by the instructor.
3.	8s on Pylons
•	Explain maneuver again
•	Help student select appropriate pylons if necessary
•	Demonstrate and explain the maneuver 
•	Help student perform maneuver (not a bad idea to start with just one pylon and do turns on a pylon first).
4.	Return flight
•	Observe student’s use of techniques already learned during flight.
•	Answer student’s questions about the lesson.
5.	Post-flight
6.	Post Lesson Debriefing
•	Critique students performance of maneuvers with constructive suggestions to improve technique.
•	Answer student questions
•	Ask student questions to evaluate what was learned.
•	Explain what will be covered in the next lesson and assign reading material.
Student Actions:
1.	Pre-lesson briefing
•	Ask questions concerning previous lessons and/or this one.
2.	Pre-flight and flight to practice area
•	Perform pre-flight and pre-takeoff procedures using appropriate checklists
•	Takeoff and fly to practice area on headings (+/- 100) and at altitudes (+/- 100 ft.) specified by the instructor.
3.	8s on Pylons
•	Calculates the approximate pivotal altitude
•	Selects appropriate reference points within gliding distance of an emergency landing site.
•	Flies the maneuver applying the necessary corrections to keep the reference line on the pylon with a minimal amount of longitudinal movement.
•	Divides attention between the reference points and looking for other traffic.
4.	Return flight
•	Navigate from practice area back to airport.
5.	Post-flight procedures
•	Perform post-flight procedures using appropriate checklists.
6.	Post-flight debriefing.
•	Ask questions about the lesson.
Completion Standards:
This lesson will be completed when the student is able to perform the maneuver as specified in the Student Actions section.
Common Errors:
•	Fixating on the reference point
•	Cheating with the rudder.
References:
•	FTH; Pages  141 - 143
•	COMM-ASEL PTS Area of Operation VI.
Possible Review Questions:
Pivotal altitude is based on the airplane’s ______________ speed.
The formula for pivotal altitude is _________________________.
If the pylon appears to be ahead of the reference point, the airplane is too _________, and the proper corrective action is to _________________ .
Pivotal Altitude Table: