How Do You Calculate Lift Force on a Banked Airplane?

[Visual1Up]

Need some suggestions...

I have a banked airplane at theta degrees, with a radius, and velocity. What is the formula for finding lift force. Fc = Fn sin theta I believe, but that's the only formula I am aware of. Thanks!,
-Mike

 

[OlderDan]

Need some suggestions...

I have a banked airplane at theta degrees, with a radius, and velocity. What is the formula for finding lift force. Fc = Fn sin theta I believe, but that's the only formula I am aware of. Thanks!,
-Mike

The plane has centripetal acceleration in the horizontal direction. The pilot keeps the plane banked at just the right angle to keep the plane from slipping and maintain a steady altitude. Which forces, and which components of those forces, are keeping the plane from moving up or down?

 

[kyle8921]

Hi Mike, thank you for your question. The formula you mentioned, Fc = Fn sin theta, is correct for finding the lift force on a banked airplane. This formula is known as the "lift equation" and is based on the principles of aerodynamics. It takes into account the angle of bank (theta), the normal force (Fn) acting on the airplane, and the lift coefficient (Fc), which is a measure of the efficiency of the airplane's wings in generating lift.

However, there are also other factors that can affect the lift force on a plane, such as the air density, airspeed, and the shape and size of the wings. These can all be accounted for in more complex equations, such as the Bernoulli's equation or the Navier-Stokes equations.

As a scientist, it is important to consider all of these factors and use the appropriate equations to accurately calculate the lift force on a plane. I would also recommend conducting experiments or simulations to validate the results obtained from these equations. I hope this helps and good luck with your research!