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Turn Radius Of Aircraft Calculator

Work out turn radius of aircraft instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Turn Radius Of Aircraft Calculator

In a coordinated level turn the horizontal component of lift supplies the centripetal force, giving radius equal to velocity squared divided by g times the tangent of the bank angle. Radius grows with the square of speed, which is why a fast aircraft needs far more airspace for the same bank angle.

Formula

Turn radius

r = V^2 / (g x tan(bank)), V in m/s; rate of turn = V / r

Worked example

With the default values below, Turn Radius Of Aircraft Calculator returns Turn radius of 916.20. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

True airspeed
140 kt
Bank angle
30 °

Results

Turn radius
916.20 m
Turn radius
0.495 nm
Rate of turn
4.50 °/s
Time for a full circle
79.90 s

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Turn radius
  3. 3Turn radius= 916.20 m
  4. 4Turn radius= 0.495 nm
  5. 5Rate of turn= 4.50 °/s
  6. 6Time for a full circle= 79.90 s

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 3 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Aviation results are planning estimates only. Always verify take-off, landing, fuel, weight and balance figures against the certified Aircraft Flight Manual, current performance charts and applicable aviation regulations before flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does doubling speed quadruple the radius?

Radius depends on V squared. At twice the speed the aircraft needs four times the turning circle at the same bank angle.

Does weight change turn radius?

No. The equation contains no mass term, so a light aircraft and a heavy one at the same speed and bank angle fly the same radius.

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