Expert: Paul Soderman - 4/18/2006

Question
hi paul,
i was wondering if you could tell me how to determine bank angles for large aircraft such as a 747. i am unsure on how to find certain data for the formulas.
cheers
sophia

Answer
Sophia

To determine bank angle, you have to decide what circular flight path you want to fly; i.e., what is the radius of the circular path of the airplane.  That determines the centrifugal force for a given airspeed and aircraft mass that you have to match with the lift component directed toward the center of the circle.  Since the vertical component of lift must still equal aircraft weight, the aircraft will have to speed up to maintain the same altitude.  The bank angle determines the magnitude of lift vertical and horizontal.  See the following site for a sketch of all the components and equations:  www.chebucto.ns.ca/Recreation/BSC/crclmotn.html.

Paul