Originally Posted by
ryan1234
descent rates in Ag turns, base to final turns, intial engine out glider turns, etc... don't have to be constant and the rule here doesn't apply.
You are grasping straws. The few seconds for the aircraft's airspeed and descent rate to stabilize during an engine out can and should be ignored.
Whether or not 1 / cosine (bank angle) accurately calculates load factor depends solely (see disclaimer) on the condition of flight: stable versus unstable. If the condition is a stable one, be it climb, level or descent, then the formula holds true. Stability, in this case, refers to a constant rate of climb/descent.
Disclaimer to avoid more straw grasping: Extreme degrees of pitch will result in a far greater quantity of weight being supported by thrust or drag. In these conditions the formula 1 / cosine (bank angle) will not accurately depict load factor.