teardrop turn

File:Teardrop penetration procedure diagram from USAF publication AFMAN11-202V3 10 June 2020, derivative of image on page 184.png

A teardrop turn is a method of reversing the course of an aircraft or vessel so that it returns on its original path, travelling in the opposite direction, and passes through a specified point on the original path.{{cite book|last=Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)|title=Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM)|year=2012|publisher=Aviation Supplies & Academics, Inc.|location=US|isbn=978-1560279273|page=5-4-9-a-4|url=http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/aim0504.html#aim0504.html.28|access-date=2013-02-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206043512/http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aim/aim0504.html#aim0504.html.28|archive-date=2013-02-06|url-status=dead}}

Concept

;Aircraft: The teardrop turn has been described as a difficult maneuver which provides little margin for error, especially as an aviation procedure where a misjudgment can result in a stall and crash.{{cite news|last=Garrison|first=Peter|title=Teardrop Turn|url=http://www.flyingmag.com/safety/accident-investigations/teardrop-turn|work=Flying|date=1 September 2008|access-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615150400/https://www.flyingmag.com/safety/accident-investigations/teardrop-turn/|archive-date=15 June 2021|url-status=live}} The name comes from the overhead view of the track, which resembles an idealized teardrop. Teardrop turns are commonly used during air shows to make several passes over the runway, flying in opposite directions. Aircraft can use the teardrop turn to return to a fix while descending, a procedure called a teardrop penetration.{{Cite book|url=https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/FAA-H-8083-15B.pdf#page40|title=Instrument Flying Handbook|publisher=United States Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch|year=2012|location=Oklahoma City, OK|pages=1–21|id=FAA-H-8083-15B|access-date=2021-06-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421062011/https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/media/FAA-H-8083-15B.pdf|archive-date=2021-04-21}} Teardrop penetrations are typically performed under instrument flight rules.

;Watercraft: Ships and power boats generally use one of two types of teardrop turn to recover a man overboard: the Williamson turn{{cite web|last=Jamieson|first=John|title=Short-Handed Man-Overboard Maneuver - the 'Williamson Turn'|url=https://www.sail-world.com/USA/Short-Handed-Man-Overboard-Maneuver-the-Williamson-Turn/-94234?source=sail-world|work=Sail-World.com|publisher=TetraMedia Pty. Ltd|access-date=15 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615151015/https://www.sail-world.com/USA/Short-Handed-Man-Overboard-Maneuver-the-Williamson-Turn/-94234?source=sail-world|archive-date=15 June 2021|url-status=live}} or the Scharnow turn, which differ primarily in the direction of the path around the teardrop and the distance from the point of interest when the manoeuvre is begun.

See also

References

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