Originally Posted by
ryan1234
I was under the impression that turn performance was based on radial acceleration (vector sum of load factor and gravity).
Ryan:
The first part of your statement is correct: the
horizontal component is what counts for turn performance (assuming you are making a
horizontal turn, otherwise, a more general and correct statement would be the component
in the direction of turn, such as in a loop, immelmann, split-S, pitchback, or sliceback).
But in the horizontal example, the total vector (or 'g'), which is what you feel, is not the horizontal component. Total is vector addition of horizontal and vertical components. So, your equation should say
Load Factor = Horizontal + Vertical.