chandelle

Chandelle is a term used in aviation to describe a maximum-performance climbing turn performed as part of aerobatic training. From level flight, the pilot initiates a climb while gradually rolling into a turn, maintaining coordinated control inputs to increase altitude and change heading. The maneuver ends when the aircraft is in a higher position on a new heading, typically with a level or slightly nose-down recovery to resume normal flight.

Etymology and usage in aviation derive from the French word chandelle, meaning candle. The name is thought to reflect the vertical, flame-like ascent of the maneuver, which emphasizes energy management and precise control rather than sustained altitude gain alone.

Execution of a chandelle involves smooth, coordinated inputs to achieve a climbing path with a gentle roll into the turn and a continuous increase in lift while maintaining airspeed. The pilot manages pitch to sustain the climb without over- or under-accelerating, keeps the bank moderate to maintain control, and monitors airspeed to avoid an inadvertent stall near the top of the maneuver. Reaching the end of the climb, the aircraft is on a new heading with altitude gained, after which the pilot returns to a normal flight attitude.

Historically, the chandelle has been taught in early aerobatic and military flight training as a fundamental energy-management maneuver. It remains a standard element in many civilian aerobatic curricula and is used to illustrate the relationship between pitch, energy, and turning flight.

Safety considerations include practicing at appropriate altitude, with adequate clearance and instruction, and avoiding abrupt inputs that could lead to a stall or loss of situational awareness.