Abdominal Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (AFAST) Practice Exam 2025 – The All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your AFAST Skills!

To maintain a heading of 235 degrees without climbing or diving, it is important to consider the principles of coordinated flight and turning performance. A bank angle of 45 degrees to the left allows for a significant horizontal component of lift, which counters the centrifugal force experienced during the turn. This is critical because maintaining level flight while turning requires a proper balance of lift and weight.

When a plane banks to the left at 45 degrees, the aircraft is able to effectively change direction while also providing the necessary lift to sustain level flight. This means that the aircraft can maintain its altitude without climbing or descending. The higher bank angles, like 45 degrees in this case, facilitate a tighter turn and maintain the required pressure on the wing to counteract the aircraft's weight.

Additionally, maintaining an appropriate speed during this maneuver is crucial; too low a speed in a steep bank can lead to stall conditions or increased drag, while too high a speed can complicate maneuverability and awareness of the aircraft's performance. Choosing a bank angle that is too shallow or drastic will undermine the goal of holding a steady heading while being level, reinforcing that a 45-degree bank is both effective and commonly used in maneuvering to maintain a specific heading without altitude change.