Turns are made in a gyroplane by banking the rotor disc with cyclic control. Once the area, in the direction of the turn, has been cleared for traffic, apply sideward pressure on the cyclic until the desired bank angle is achieved. The speed at which the gyroplane enters the bank is dependent on how far the cyclic is displaced.

When the desired bank angle is reached, return the cyclic to the neutral position. The rudder pedals are used to keep the gyroplane in longitudinal trim throughout the turn, but not to assist in establishing the turn.

The bank angle used for a turn directly affects the rate of turn. As the bank is steepened, the turn rate increases, but more power is required to maintain altitude. A bank angle can be reached where all available power is required, with any further increase in bank resulting in a loss of airspeed or altitude. Turns during a climb should be made at the minimum angle of bank necessary, as higher bank angles would require more power that would otherwise be available for the climb.

Turns while gliding increase the rate of descent and may be used as an effective way of losing excess altitude.

A slip occurs when the gyroplane slides sideways toward the center of the turn. [Figure 20-8] It is caused by an insufficient amount of rudder pedal in the direction of the turn, or too much in the direction opposite the turn. In other words, holding improper rudder pedal pressure keeps the nose from following the turn, the gyroplane slips sideways toward the center of the turn.

A skid occurs when the gyroplane slides sideways away from the center of the turn. [Figure 20-9] It is caused by too much rudder pedal pressure in the direction of the turn, or by too little in the direction opposite the turn. If the gyroplane is forced to turn faster with increased pedal pressure instead of by increasing the degree of bank, it skids sideways away from the center of the turn instead of flying in its normal curved pattern.

A steep turn is a performance maneuver used in training that consists of a turn in either direction at a bank angle of approximately 40°. The objective of performing steep turns is to develop smoothness, coordination, orientation, division of attention, and control techniques.

Prior to initiating a steep turn, or any other flight maneuver, first complete a clearing turn to check the area for traffic. To accomplish this, you may execute either one 180° turn or two 90° turns in opposite directions. Once the area has been cleared, roll the gyroplane into a 40° angle-of-bank turn while smoothly adding power and slowly moving the cyclic aft to maintain altitude. Maintain coordinated flight with proper rudder pedal pressure. Throughout the turn, cross-reference visual cues outside the gyroplane with the flight instruments, if available, to maintain a constant altitude and angle of bank. Anticipate the roll-out by leading the roll-out heading by approximately 20°.

Using section lines or prominent landmarks to aid in orientation can be helpful in rolling out on the proper heading. During roll-out, gradually return the cyclic to the original position and reduce power to maintain altitude and airspeed.