Question

Why do airplanes bank when turning?

   Why do airplanes bank when turning?

Essential University Physics

Essential University Physics

Richard Wolfson 3rd Edition

Chapter 5, Problem 5

Instant Answer

Solved by Expert Carlos Henrique De Lima

05/10/2020

Step 1

In a car, we have traction on the tires which allows us to change the direction of the car by simply turning the steering wheel. This is not the case with an airplane. The only force acting on an airplane is the lift force. Show more…

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Why do airplanes bank when turning?

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Key Concepts

Lift

Lift is the aerodynamic force that acts perpendicular to the relative airflow over the wings. In a turn, the airplane’s lift vector is manipulated by banking so that it has both vertical and horizontal components, allowing the aircraft to both counteract gravity and provide the necessary force to change direction.

Centripetal Force

Centripetal force is the inward force required to keep an object moving along a curved path. During a banked turn, a portion of the lift is redirected horizontally, creating the centripetal force needed to maintain the turn.

Banking (Bank Angle)

Banking refers to the tilting of an airplane’s wings relative to the horizontal plane. This tilt reorients the lift vector, creating a horizontal component that supplies the centripetal force for turning while still providing sufficient vertical lift to keep the aircraft aloft.

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