1. What is Plane Turn Radius?

The turn radius of an aircraft is the horizontal distance required for the aircraft to complete a circular turn at a given bank angle and velocity. It's a crucial parameter in flight dynamics and aircraft maneuverability.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the turn radius formula:

Where:

• \( R \) — Turn radius (meters)
• \( V \) — Velocity (meters/second)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²)
• \( \phi \) — Bank angle (degrees)

Explanation: The equation shows that turn radius increases with the square of velocity and decreases with increasing bank angle.

3. Importance of Turn Radius Calculation

Details: Understanding turn radius is essential for flight planning, air traffic control, and ensuring safe aircraft operations, especially during approach and landing procedures.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter velocity in meters per second and bank angle in degrees (between 0 and 90). All values must be valid (velocity > 0, angle between 1-89).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does turn radius increase with velocity?
A: The centrifugal force increases with the square of velocity, requiring a larger radius to maintain the same bank angle.

Q2: What's a typical bank angle for commercial aircraft?
A: Typically 25-30 degrees for passenger comfort, though steeper angles may be used in emergencies.

Q3: How does weight affect turn radius?
A: Weight doesn't directly appear in the equation because lift increases proportionally with weight in a coordinated turn.

Q4: What's the minimum possible turn radius?
A: Limited by maximum bank angle (before stall) and structural limits of the aircraft.

Q5: How does altitude affect turn radius?
A: True airspeed increases with altitude for the same indicated airspeed, resulting in larger turn radii at higher altitudes.