I have an ABC Wide World of Flying tape (at least 10 years old) that has a segment on making the turn back to the airport done by Barry Shiff.   I think he recommended a 45 degree bank as the optimum for the 180+ turn.  Even though steeper was better when it comes to altitude loss, it was too difficult to execute.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is stall speed doesn't increase in a bank IF you let the plane descend and maintain one G.  It's not the "tilting" of the wings, it's the G's that increase the stall speed.

 

I know that I have been a little nonchalant about the takeoff.  And after reading about the latest accident, I added a "straight ahead vs. turn back" altitude to my pre-takeoff checklist.  I just check the altimeter, add 1,000 feet and make a mental note before taking the runway.  I hope to never use that altitude to make a life and death decision.  More importantly, I hope that a few months from now, when the latest accident is out of mind, that I don't go back to taking a "normal takeoff" for granted.

 

I really feel I had set myself up to be a "statistic" not a "survivor"

 

Mike Easley

N815MK  Super ES