Which maneuver requires higher angle of attack to maintain altitude?

The maneuver that requires a higher angle of attack to maintain altitude is the steep turn. When an aircraft is performing a turn, especially a steep turn, the lift vector needs to be increased to counteract the increased load factor associated with the bank angle. In a steep turn, the aircraft is banked at a greater angle, which increases the load factor and consequently requires more lift to maintain altitude.

To generate this additional lift while still flying at a constant altitude, the pilot must increase the angle of attack by pulling back on the control yoke or stick. This adjustment ensures that the lift produced by the wings can counterbalance the increased weight and centrifugal forces acting on the aircraft due to the steep bank.

In contrast, level flight requires a specific angle of attack to maintain straight and level; a climb at constant speed demands a different thrust setting and slightly modified angle without necessarily increasing the angle of attack. A banked turn at low speed also involves a different dynamic where the aircraft may not need to increase the angle of attack as much as in a steep turn, making steep turns uniquely demanding in terms of maintaining altitude.