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

A teardrop turn is a method of reversing the course of an

aircraft An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air. It counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines. ...

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.

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. The name comes from the overhead view of the track, which resembles an idealized teardrop. Teardrop turns are commonly used during

air show An air show (or airshow, air fair, air tattoo) is a public event where aircraft are exhibited. They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground. The largest air show ...

s to make several passes over the runway, flying in opposite directions. Aircraft can use the teardrop turn to return to a

fix Fix or FIX may refer to: People with the name * Fix (surname) Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Fix'' (film), a feature film by Tao Ruspoli Music * ''Fix'' (album), 2015 album by Chris Lane * "Fix" (Blackstreet song), 1997 song by Black ...

while descending, a procedure called a teardrop penetration. Teardrop penetrations are typically performed under

instrument flight rules In aviation, instrument flight rules (IFR) is one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other is visual flight rules (VFR). The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) ''Instrument F ...

. ;Watercraft:

Ship A ship is a large watercraft that travels the world's oceans and other sufficiently deep waterways, carrying cargo or passengers, or in support of specialized missions, such as defense, research, and fishing. Ships are generally distinguishe ...

s and power

boat A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size, shape, cargo or passenger capacity, or its ability to carry boats. Small boats are typically found on i ...

s generally use one of two types of teardrop turn to recover a man overboard: the

Williamson turn A man overboard rescue turn (or person overboard) is a shiphandling manoeuvre usually implemented immediately upon learning of a person having gone overboad into the sea. To bring a vessel closer to the person's location, implementations of the pri ...

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.

References

External links

* http://www.altairva-fs.com/training/ava_training_ifr_pt.htm * http://thenauticalsite.com/NauticalNotes/Manouev/MyMan-Lesson03-Manoeuvres.htm {{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130303173153/http://thenauticalsite.com/NauticalNotes/Manouev/MyMan-Lesson03-Manoeuvres.htm , date=2013-03-03 * https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO%20Documents/5p/CG-5PC/CG-CVC/CVC3/cfsac/meetings/2016/Finalchapter5.pdf Aerial maneuvers

Concept

See also

References

External links