Bank Angle Vs. G Force

If I see one more graph or chart showing that if Im in a 60-degree bank (Maneuvering Stalls, September 2015), I must be pulling 2G, I think Ill throw up. Presenting this data is an indication of competence in trigonometry but someone is not paying attention to the real world of airplane flying.

Editorial Staff

Friday, September 25, 2015 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The traditional relationship between bank angle and G-forces is misleading without the context of level flight, as actual G-forces vary significantly based on other flight parameters.
Concerns were raised regarding pilot response time, high speeds during approaches, and cockpit workload as potential contributing factors in the South Carolina mid-air collision.
For crosswind landings, a sideslip is essential at the moment of touchdown, while the crab technique is used for the approach, with the transition timing dependent on pilot skill and wind conditions.

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If I see one more graph or chart showing that if I’m in a 60-degree bank (“Maneuvering Stalls,” September 2015), I must be pulling 2G, I think I’ll throw up. Presenting this data is an indication of competence in trigonometry but someone is not paying attention to the real world of airplane flying.

I can and have flown in a 60-degree bank and pulled zero G, and also flown a 60-degree bank and pulled 4G. Bank angle in and of itself has no relationship to G forces.