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:

Bank angle alone does not determine G-forces; traditional charts showing this relationship typically assume level flight, but actual G-forces can vary significantly at the same bank angle.
Concerns were raised regarding an F-16 pilot's delayed avoidance maneuver and high speed in a mid-air collision, prompting questions about cockpit workload and ability to scan for traffic during practice approaches.
For crosswind landings, an aircraft must be in a sideslip at the moment of touchdown, even if a crab is used for the approach; the timing of the transition depends 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.