wrote:
Why are chandelles and lazy eights a maneuver requirement for the
commercial? Or are they still?

Because of the precision reqiurement to pull them off?


The main reason for these two specific maneuvers is that a properly
executed Lazy Eight or Chandelle require very subtle and well timed
coordinated control and throttle use to perform correctly. Either one of
these maneuvers or both of them will spotlight a pilot's control of the
airplane and that pilot's ability to plan ahead or lack of same in a
heartbeat.
Also, these maneuvers can be performed without undue stress on the airplane.
A good examiner will have a fair handle on how good an applicant will
perform in the air simply by watching that applicant do the preflight,
taxi-out, and run up. These two maneuvers can finish the job in the air.
Just as an aside, it's harder to do a well performed SHALLOW Lazy Eight
than it is a steep one :-))


--
Dudley Henriques