Tiger AA-5B, 180 HP, Choosing Airspeed for Maneuvers

[kontiki]

I'm looking for the best entry airspeed for flying steep turns, chandells and lazy eights in my Tiger. I don't see any guidance other than be below Va. I've been experimenting, but wanted some basis for a starting point.

I don't see anything in POH or FAA Handbooks.

Any suggestions?

 

[poadeleted20]

You want an entry speed which results in maneuvering speed once you're established with the g-load in the maneuver. For chandelles and lazy-8's, which are pretty near 1-g maneuvers, that means entering at Va. OTOH, if you try entering a Commercial PTS 55-degree bank steep turn at maneuvering speed, by the time you get established, you'll be on the verge of an accelerated stall unless you add a lot of power during the entry to compensate for the large increase in induced drag as you increase AoA. You can, if you wish, slow to Va before starting the roll-in, and then add power to maintain Va during the roll-in, but I think that unnecessarily complicates the maneuver unless you think you may suddenly yank the yoke full aft during the entry.