12.66 Turning Flight

12.66.2 Define centripetal force.

Centripetal force is the force that acts on an object moving in a circular path, which is directed towards the center of the circle.

This force is required to keep the object moving in a circular path, as it continuously changes direction due to its velocity vector being tangential to the circular path.

The magnitude of the centripetal force is directly proportional to the mass of the object, the square of its velocity, and inversely proportional to the radius of the circular path.

12.66.4 Explain the components of lift which provide the:

(a) turning force;

The component of lift that provides the turning force is the horizontal component of lift.

When an aircraft is banked, the lift generated by the wings is split into two components:

• the vertical component, which opposes the weight of the aircraft and keeps it in the air, and
• the horizontal component, which acts perpendicular to the vertical component and provides the turning force.

The horizontal component of lift is directed towards the center of the turn and is responsible for changing the direction of the aircraft.