Hilton

Michael Ash wrote:
> Hilton wrote:
>> Michael Ash wrote:
>>> In a steady *spiral* dive the wing loading will be determined by your
>>> bank
>>> angle.
>>
>> Can you prove that? (mathematically or non-mathematically)
>
> If it's steady, i.e. constant speed, then the loading will be equal to the
> arccosine of the bank angle, because you need to generate 1 gee straight
> up to counterbalance gravity. This is the same situation as a level turn,
> and the math and vectors should be discussed in any introductory book on
> flying.

Your 'proof' above is almost correct for *level* flight (it ignores attitude
etc, but I don't want to knit pick), however, it is not appropriate at all
in a spiral even if the aircraft is at a constant speed. In a spiral, there
is a non-zero component of vertical drag, therefore less vertical lift is
required. However, your lift vector is now at an angle to the vertical.
You cannot ignore these. Therefore the wing loading is also a function of
the coefficient of drag, and perhaps other things, but clearly not only
determined by your bank angle.

Hilton