Question About Making Turns...
 

Why is it that when planes make turns they make banking turns? Why not just use the Yaw rudder to make turns in bigger jets to keep passengers more at ease when flying?...just a question i have always wondered.

~Steve

It's all about physics. All airplanes need to bank to turn.

i figured it had to due something with physics just didnt know for sure, thanks.

Answer
 

Steve:

Airplanes could turn using only rudder much like a boat in the water; however, an airplane moves around three axis' and the comfort of the passengers and efficiency of operation requires coordination of all three - Roll, Pitch and Yaw. If you were to turn only using rudder and no aileron the passengers in the back would feel like they were being swung on the end of a rope and other undesirable characteristics would also present themselves but the story gets too long to tell. Suffice to say that the present system provides the most comfort to passengers and has less of a chance of spilling the captains coffee. Good question though!

Steve,

Great question and one I commonly get. Google "horizonal component of lift" and you should get some great stuff on why an airplane turns. Proper rudder usage is a big pet-peeve of mine and I preach it to my students.

Passengers get uncomfortable when planes turn?

Sh1t. I'm gonna have to find a part 135 cargo op or something, no way am I listening to cranky pax moan about turning.

I got dinged on my checkride for a 40 degree bank going base to final...Flying boxes is going to be my future...:D

-LAFF

LOL, Part 135 here I come!

Only response I'll get out of the boxs is when they fall all over each other, and the crystal inside of them goes "crash."

Oops, hope they had insurance.

Yeap...135 is for me...See you out there...

-LAFF

I got the first round at the bar.