Immelmann turn

The Immelmann is also (and actually correct s, u ) upswing called (English Immelmann turn or roll off the top ). This aerobatic maneuver consists of half flap and an immediately subsequent half role. Half the rollover is flown coming uphill from the horizontal up to the supine position. With half a roll is then rolled back into the normal flight position. The Immelmann can be quickly reversed the direction of flight and in a confined space and gain height. This maneuver is flown without stalling.

Named this aerobatic maneuver after Max Immelmann, a German fighter pilots of World War II.

Even if the figure today bears his name, so it is hard to imagine that Max Immelmann has actually flown (half -over, followed by half role ) in this form, because his Fokker E III did not yet have ailerons. With their Tragflächenverwindungsmechanismus they would hardly have been able to turn the half roll at the apex of the rollover. It is therefore more likely to be assumed that his inferior air combat opponents have exaggerated the capabilities of its machine in their portrayal. During the maneuver, which flew Immelmann, it could be a figure who is now generally referred to as Chandelle, namely a steep rising curve, from which the aircraft comes out higher in level flight, as it is flown into it. According to other opinions, it was a maneuver which had similarity with the aerobatic maneuver now known as the turn.

However, this discussion does not change the core of Immelmann's invention: with his character, he was the first pilot to the third dimension for the exchange of potential and kinetic energy exploited specifically what the tactical options Advanced enormously at the then weak engine aircraft.

In contrast to the aerobatic maneuvers ( 180 ° change of direction) allows the air combat maneuvers Immelmann change of course in any direction by the aircraft is rolled in the 90 degree climb phase in the desired direction.