Aviation & Aeronautics
Intermediate

Turn Radius

Radius of a level coordinated turn from speed and bank angle.

Formula

r=v2gtan⁡ϕr = \dfrac{v^2}{g\tan\phi}

Variables

rTurn radius
vTrue airspeed
gGravity
\phiBank angle

Example

At the same speed, a steeper bank tightens the turn — radius shrinks as bank increases.

Did You Know?

At higher speeds an aircraft needs a much wider turn — radius grows with the square of velocity.

turnradiusmaneuver