Originally Posted by
gestrich19
So according to this reference, the aircraft is basically moving around the axis that is in between the vertical and lateral axis?
Hmmm, I had to think about that one, but yes, I think you could invent a new axis for that.
Most references simplify with "the horizontal component of lift turns the aircraft" without going much further. That is simple enough for what is required by the FAA but I hardly find that satisfying.
Good for you. The FAA stuff is awful. It's not as wrong as it was 10 years go, but that's mainly because they don't go into as much.
Actually, I was very surprised to find how there is a lack of *detailed* information there is for the curious *layperson* on how an aircraft turns.
You're right, there's not. The Skip Smith book you have is about the best you can find at that level. It's what I use for my CFI candidates. I might *cautiously* recommend to you the "Flightwise" series. The second book on stability and control actually walks you through how a turn works and some other similar topics. The only reason I hesitate when recommending the book is that the author boasts that he's not going to use math, but he does. And so he gets into stability derivatives in this book, which is really beyond the audience that he claims to be aiming for. However, I think there's enough good stuff in there to make it worthwhile. He tells you how dihedral works, too.
I am sure I have intellectually dragged the discussion down a notch with the number of engineers and those with experience here
Actually, no, you've been right all along. If you master the Skip Smith book, you'll have a better understanding than 95% of the pilots out there. And if I were you, I wouldn't try to discuss it with any other pilots because they'll just get angry when you tell them the airplane doesn't fly the way they think it does.