What is typically applied to maintain altitude in a turn?

To maintain altitude in a turn, it is essential to apply back pressure on the elevator control. When an aircraft enters a turn, it experiences a decrease in vertical lift due to the bank angle. The wings are tilted, which means that some of the lift is now directed horizontally to create the turn rather than upwards to support the aircraft's weight.

By pulling back on the elevator control, the pilot increases the angle of attack of the wings, generating more lift to counteract the loss of vertical lift caused by the banking. This adjustment is crucial to prevent the aircraft from losing altitude during the maneuver.

While aileron pressure is used to control the bank and initiate the turn, it does not address lift directly. Rudder input complements ailerons for coordination during the turn, and throttle adjustments can affect speed but do not directly maintain altitude in the context of a turn. Misunderstanding the relationship between control inputs and altitude management is a common challenge for pilots, hence the focus on the back pressure on the elevator control as the key to altitude maintenance in a turn.