The radius of turn is the horizontal distance an aircraft covers while turning. This measurement depends on two key factors: the bank angle and the airspeed. Essentially, the radius of turn increases with the square of the airspeed. For example, if you double the speed of the aircraft, the radius of turn becomes four times larger. If you triple the speed, the radius grows nine times larger. On the other hand, if the aircraft maintains a constant speed, increasing the bank angle will actually reduce the radius of the turn. It’s interesting to note that these relationships differ from those seen in the rate of turn. In that case, increasing speed reduces the rate of turn, while a higher bank angle increases it. Understanding these principles is crucial for pilots as they navigate turns effectively.
