If the wing moves behind the pylon during eights-on-pylons, what does this indicate?

When the wing moves behind the pylon during eights-on-pylons, it indicates that the airplane is above pivotal altitude. In this maneuver, the pilot is aiming to maintain a constant radius around the pylon while flying a figure-eight pattern.

Pivotal altitude is the altitude at which the pilot can fly in a way that the airplane's lateral path around the pylon creates a constant radius turn. When the wing is behind the pylon, the aircraft is positioned such that it must be adjusted in its flight path to maintain this radius. Since the wing is trailing behind the point of reference (the pylon), it suggests that the aircraft is high enough in altitude to require a larger radius than what could render a constant path, effectively meaning it is above the pivotal altitude.

Understanding pivotal altitude helps pilots perform maneuvers like eights-on-pylons accurately, ensuring they maintain the required turning performance and are able to manage the energy state of the aircraft.