During steep turns, the required bank angle is:

In steep turns, pilots typically use a bank angle of around 45 degrees. This angle allows the aircraft to maintain level flight while making a coordinated turn in a limited horizontal space. The combination of bank angle and increased load factor during a turn creates the necessary lift to counteract the increased gravitational force acting on the aircraft.

At a bank angle of 45 degrees, the load factor increases to approximately 1.41 times the aircraft's weight, which means the pilot must ensure that the aircraft is capable of producing enough lift at this angle to maintain altitude. This is crucial for maintaining control and stability during the maneuver. If the bank angle were lower, such as 30 degrees, the turn would be less steep, requiring less lift but also reducing the effectiveness of the steep turn. Conversely, a bank angle greater than 45 degrees would significantly increase the load factor and could lead to potential issues such as a stall if the pilot does not manage power and airflow appropriately.

Therefore, a bank angle of 45 degrees is optimal for steep turns to achieve a balance between control, lift, and load factor while ensuring safety and adherence to flight performance standards.