Originally Posted by UAL T38 Phlyer

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.