Turning radius question

[mthrockmor]

Two different planes, same alt, same speed, both turn, pulling 5gs - Do they have an identical turn radius?

Example: Spitfire and Fw-190

Boo

[Shuffler]

Both 5g..   yes, at least initially. For one to turn tighter would mean more Gs at the same speed.

Of course if one bleeds e more in the turn than the other, their turn could get tighter.

[Mongoose]

Two different planes, same alt, same speed, both turn, pulling 5gs - Do they have an identical turn radius?

  Yes.  As long as they both continue to pull 5gs, the turn radius will be the same.  The difference will be when one of the planes loses speed, and can't sustain the 5g turn, and thus can't sustain the turn radius.  Or one of the planes can increase speed, or maintain the speed and increase G's, and turn tighter.

[FLS]

You're asking if they flew the same turn would they fly the same turn.   

As long as they stay at a speed and g load they can both maintain they can fly the same turn.

[eagl]

turn rate and radius is a function of speed and G load.  If either of those changes, the rate and radius will change.

For example, a plane that can pull 5Gs at 200 knots will have a better radius than a plane that has to be going 250 kts to pull 5 Gs.  A plane that can pull 6 Gs at 200 knots will have a tighter rate and radius than a plane that can pull 9 Gs but only at 500 knots.

[BOBO]

Not necessarily.

Their turn radius could be identical, symmetrical, or something else if turning in different planes relative to Earth's gravity (Vertical-ish).

This is one of those physics questions that I understand, but lack the vocabulary to explain my answer and have to say something like... You know.... just the vibe.... of Newton's X law of....

[pembquist]

Two different planes, same alt, same speed, both turn, pulling 5gs - Do they have an identical turn radius?

Example: Spitfire and Fw-190

At that instant yes but the next instant and the next and the next etc. etc. no

[mthrockmor]

Thanks. Makes sense.

Boo

[Vulcan]

What about if they're on a conveyor belt?

[Shuffler]

What about if they're on a conveyor belt?

OH NOOOOOOOOO

[Drano]

What about if they're on a conveyor belt?

Hahaha!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[100Coogn]

What about if they're on a conveyor belt?

  

Coogan

[bozon]

Two different planes, same alt, same speed, both turn, pulling 5gs - Do they have an identical turn radius?

Example: Spitfire and Fw-190

Boo

The academic answer is yes, as several people above explained. The practice says NO because it is very unlikely that they will maintain the same speed and G load.

Also even when they do, unless they fly on the circumference of the same imaginary circle, it will appear as if one is out turning the other. For example, a chase. Both planes start turning together, same speed, same G, but their imaginary circles are offset. The leading plane from his POV will get the impression that the chasing plane is initially "out turning" him for the first 90 degrees, then he will seem to be gaining angles back until he "out turned" the chasing plane and the roles are reversed. A real fight never develops in this way off course.

[Devil 505]

The academic answer is yes, as several people above explained. The practice says NO because it is very unlikely that they will maintain the same speed and G load.

Also even when they do, unless they fly on the circumference of the same imaginary circle, it will appear as if one is out turning the other. For example, a chase. Both planes start turning together, same speed, same G, but their imaginary circles are offset. The leading plane from his POV will get the impression that the chasing plane is initially "out turning" him for the first 90 degrees, then he will seem to be gaining angles back until he "out turned" the chasing plane and the roles are reversed. A real fight never develops in this way off course.

Real fights may not develop this way, but the mathematical reality of offset turning circles would explain numerous "how can plane X out turn me, when I should have the advantage?"

[John Galt]

Not necessarily.

Their turn radius could be identical, symmetrical, or something else if turning in different planes relative to Earth's gravity (Vertical-ish).

This is one of those physics questions that I understand, but lack the vocabulary to explain my answer and have to say something like... You know.... just the vibe.... of Newton's X law of....

I see where you are going,  but that sounds like a Cliff Clavin explanation.