It’s conceivable that a 45 degree banked turn could be needed for an evasive maneuver, but we don’t practice or require the execution of steep turns so that we can make them a part of our everyday flying. In fact, they should largely be avoided. Steep turns are a staple in our training regimen for a better understanding of the aerodynamics associated with turns and to help develop smooth and coordinated use of flight controls, division of attention, and general mastery of the aircraft to aid all of your flying.

The FAA recently added a new feature to its online medical application system, MedXPress, that allows pilots to track the status of their medical certificates online throughout the application and review process. Prior to adding this new feature, pilots had to call to check their application status, or, in many cases, remain in the dark.