Which maneuver is recommended when climbing or descending VFR on an airway?

• A. Execute steep banks to maintain altitude
• B. Maintain heading with no bank, no scanning
• C. Execute gentle banks, right and left for continuous visual scanning of airspace
• D. Make frequent S-turns to keep aerodynamics stable

Answer: (C)

During climbs or descents on an airway under VFR, the priority is to stay aware of other aircraft and hazards by continually scanning the airspace. Using gentle banks to the left and right lets you change your viewpoint and look around without sacrificing control or altitude too quickly. Small, coordinated turns keep you oriented to the horizon and give you better visibility of traffic coming from different directions, which is essential for collision avoidance. Holding a straight heading with no bank limits your field of vision and intentional lookouts, increasing the chance you’ll miss nearby traffic. Steep banks aren’t needed here—they can reduce climb or descent performance and raise workload. Repeated S-turns disrupt the flight path and visibility. So the recommended method is to use gentle, alternating banks to maintain continuous visual scanning of the airspace.