In a steady coordinated horizontal turn with constant bank angle, what happens to the stalling speed?

In a steady coordinated horizontal turn with a constant bank angle, the stalling speed increases. This phenomenon is primarily due to the fact that during a turn, the aircraft encounters increased load factor, which translates into a higher stall speed.

When an aircraft banks for a turn, it must generate additional lift to counteract the increased load imposed by the bank angle. The load factor experienced in a turn can be calculated as 1 divided by the cosine of the bank angle. As the load factor increases, the amount of lift required also rises, leading to a higher angle of attack to maintain level flight. However, this isn't sustainable infinitely, as exceeding the critical angle of attack results in stalling.

As a result, the relationship between loading and stalling speed becomes evident: stalling speed is proportional to the square root of the load factor. Hence, with the increased load factor in a turn, the stalling speed of the aircraft increases, which is crucial for pilots to understand in order to maintain safe flight operations, especially while performing maneuvers. Understanding this concept ensures that pilots are aware of the need to adjust their flight parameters and avoid unintentional stalls during turns.