Why does an airplane turn? (Long)

[uwochris]

Kigair,

From the book "Flight Theory For Pilots" by Charles Dole, (page 210):

"Note that the load factors required to fly at constant altitude in turning flight were determined by assuming that the wing of the a/c provided all the lift. According to this analysis, the load factor at 90 degress will be infinity and thus impossible to attain...the secret is of course that lift is provided by parts of the a/c other than the wings. If the nose is held above the horizontal, the vertical component of thrust will act as lift. The fuselage is also operating at an effective AOA and will also develop lift. The vertical tail and rudder will also develop lift."

 

[Metro752]

I was on Christmas Vacation and I also saw the plane stuck in the side of the building driving by.

I don't remember it being reported that the kid felt bad for the muslims, all I know is he comitted suicide, and thats not cool or right way to go, no problems are worth that. Sounds like a spoiled kid, I know a bunch of guys who would love to fly but don't have the money.

But why would someone use it as their avatar image. Maybe I should get a beheading image or maybe a pic of auschwitz furnaces, since they are furnaces, its ok, cuz thats where I want the terrorists to go.

Speaking of them, you all need to see TEAM AMERICA, I laughed so hard. Hans "Brix" gets killed in a shark tank! MUAHAHAHAAH. Its good sh1t. Michael Moore is a fat socialist pig!

 

[enigma]

I may attempt an answer later. For now, this is a great example of the reason I'm not a theoretical scientist.

I don't really care about the exact physics of heading change in a turn. The science doesn't matter to me, I can go get into an airplane and show myself that it will indeed change heading if banked in coordinated, level flight. I see no need to prove it on paper if I can prove it in a repeatable experiment.

I guess that's why I are a pilot instead of an engineer

enigma

PS, I do have a theory, I'm just not sure. I need more time to think. Besides, I want to make sure it doesn't have any possible connection to winglet science.

 

[mmmdonut]

His name was Charles Bishop and he flew right over McDill AFB on his way to downtown Tampa....

But yeah UnAnswered is your friendly neighborhood troll... he doesn't start flame wars, he just cons some of you into wasting your time pretending to be a knowlegeable CFI.

 

[flyifrvfr]

Kigair,

From the book "Flight Theory For Pilots" by Charles Dole, (page 210):

"Note that the load factors required to fly at constant altitude in turning flight were determined by assuming that the wing of the a/c provided all the lift. According to this analysis, the load factor at 90 degress will be infinity and thus impossible to attain...the secret is of course that lift is provided by parts of the a/c other than the wings. If the nose is held above the horizontal, the vertical component of thrust will act as lift. The fuselage is also operating at an effective AOA and will also develop lift. The vertical tail and rudder will also develop lift."

This is all true, but an airplane that is underpowered will never be able to maintain altitude even when full top rudder is applied. You need an engine with enough power to be able to fly knife-edge for an extended period of time.

 

[F16TJ]

Dude...

I thank everyone for the information. Unfortunately, I've yet to visualize what enables the plane to perform this elementary maneuver. Some say the angle of attack decreases as the plane rolls in and that the nose pitches into the turn. I'm sure this guy is correct, but nevertheless I don't understand how that happens. I'm going to have to do some research. It's really aggravating me that I don't fully understand the mechanics of something seemingly so simple.....

Try this: https://www.drivercareers.com/dynamic_app/drivingApplication.php?sess=8009ab8cafdb8f885959efb328ecbd67

I'm sure you can figure out how to make a truck turn!

 

[UnAnswerd]

Why does your gay ass have a picture of the cessna that a kid comitted suicide in as your avatar. You ass munch.

I think that's a little "over the top". I was not aware of the circumstances regarding the accident, and regret using the avatar after learning of them. I will take the image down.

 

[UnAnswerd]

Again, I appreciate all the information you guys have been willing to give. After thinking everything over, I've come up with another possible explanation as to why the airplane turns. Maybe you guys can tell me if my way of thinking is correct.....

When the airplane is banked, we know that horizontal lift becomes the primary factor. I believe that most of the lift is usually generated directly perpendicular to the wingspan. Also, at a given airspeed, there are air molecules rushing past all external surfaces of the airplane, just like in level flight. Now, in a bank, a significant amount of the lifting force is trying to pull the airplane sideways. HOWEVER, with the empennage of the airplane rushing through the air, there is perhaps some resistance to it moving DIRECTLY sideways. At the same time, the wings are "pulling" the forward portion of the airplane sideways with considerable force. Perhaps the reason why the airplane turns instead of just tracking sideways, is because there is a differentiation in forces. The wings might have an equal resistance to moving sideways through onrushing air, but because they can generate lift, they are able to overcome this factor quite easily. Now, the empennage can technically develop lift, but nothing we need to be concerned with at this point. Maybe the reason the airplane turns is because the wings are pulling the forward portion of the plane sideways FASTER than they are the empennage, due to it's inherent resistance to sideways motion. The result: The nose is pulled into the turn, while the empennage resists the sideways motion. For this reason, the nose is able to be swung around, and finally maybe this is why the airplane changes heading?????!!!!!!

 

[UnAnswerd]

I don't remember it being reported that the kid felt bad for the muslims, all I know is he comitted suicide, and thats not cool or right way to go, no problems are worth that.

There are many ways to commit suicide. The issue is, this kid not only killed himself, but deliberately threatened the lives of innocent people working in and around the building. Had he not been so narcissistic, perhaps he would have simply flown the plane into remote territory. Instead, he threatens lives. I don't understand where your sympathy for him is coming from, as his mentality is not much different than any of the 9/11 hijackers. As far as the image being inappropriate, I can accept and understand your point of view, and was respectful enough to take the image down. As far as you calling me a "gay ass", the feeling is mutual because you obviously don't posses the capacity to convey your feelings with any degree of constructivism. With respect to your negativity and degrading comments; may I never meat a pilot like you.