I've used the technique of pivoting the wingtip on a point on the ground during a search to get a better view of the object on the ground. It also demonstrates the pilot's ability to fly the aircraft while focusing his attention outside the aircraft. Its actually fun when done in a brisk wind, as altitude will change with a change in groundspeed. Depending on speed, initial entry altitude will be around 800' AGL.
More of the AFH description, below, is available online, if desired.
From the FAA Airplane Flying Handbook:
EIGHTS-ON-PYLONS (PYLON EIGHTS)
The pylon eight is the most advanced and most diffi-
cult of the low altitude flight training maneuvers.
Because of the various techniques involved, the pylon
eight is unsurpassed for teaching, developing, and test-
ing subconscious control of the airplane.
As the pylon eight is essentially an advanced
maneuver in which the pilot’s attention is directed
at maintaining a pivotal position on a selected pylon,
with a minimum of attention within the cockpit, it
should not be introduced until the instructor is assured
that the student has a complete grasp of the fundamentals.
Thus, the prerequisites are the ability to make a coordi-
nated turn without gain or loss of altitude, excellent feel of
the airplane, stall recognition, relaxation with low altitude
maneuvering, and an absence of the error of over
concentration.
Like eights around pylons, this training maneuver also
involves flying the airplane in circular paths, alter-
nately left and right, in the form of a figure 8 around
two selected points or pylons on the ground. Unlike
eights around pylons, however, no attempt is made to
maintain a uniform distance from the pylon. In eights-
on-pylons, the distance from the pylons varies if there
is any wind. Instead, the airplane is flown at such a
precise altitude and airspeed that a line parallel to the
airplane’s lateral axis, and extending from the pilot’s
eye, appears to pivot on each of the pylons. [Figure 6-
10] Also, unlike eights around pylons, in the perform-
ance of eights-on-pylons the degree of bank increases
as the distance from the pylon decreases.
The altitude that is appropriate for the airplane being
flown is called the pivotal altitude and is governed by
the groundspeed. While not truly a ground track
maneuver as were the preceding maneuvers, the objec-
tive is similar—to develop the ability to maneuver the
airplane accurately while dividing one’s attention
between the flightpath and the selected points on the
ground.
Don't be mad, Jock. Try it. You might like it.
