What angle of bank would you use to correct a 40° deviation from heading?

To correct a 40° deviation from heading, a bank angle of approximately 30° is commonly used based on the principles of basic turn performance and standard rate turns in flight operations.

When an aircraft is off heading, a pilot needs to maintain a certain bank angle to generate enough horizontal lift to effectively change the aircraft’s heading back to the desired course. The relationship between the degree of bank and the rate of turn is a critical aspect of aircraft navigation.

In this scenario, a 30° bank angle strikes a balance that would allow for a controlled and efficient correction of the 40° deviation. It generates enough lateral acceleration to realign the aircraft with the intended heading without exceeding the performance limitations that might occur with a steeper bank.

A lesser bank angle, such as 20° or 25°, may not provide sufficient turn rate to counteract the deviation effectively. Conversely, a 35° bank might introduce increased load factors and potential instability, which can be counterproductive in maintaining the aircraft's control during the turn. Thus, utilizing a 30° bank is an appropriate solution to achieve a safe and effective correction.