What effect does "bank" have on aircraft performance during turns?

When an aircraft enters a turn, the bank angle plays a critical role in determining how the aircraft performs. A banked turn increases the load factor, which is the ratio of the lift being generated by the wings to the aircraft's weight. As the bank angle increases, more lift is required to counteract the increased load due to the horizontal component of lift acting during the turn.

This increased load factor contributes to an increase in stall speed, which is the minimum speed at which the aircraft can maintain controlled flight. In a turn, a higher bank angle means that the aircraft must fly faster to maintain the same margin above stall speed. Essentially, pilots must be aware that as they increase the bank angle, they need to also increase airspeed to prevent entering a stall condition.

Therefore, recognizing that increased bank leads directly to an increased load factor and corresponding increase in stall speed is essential for ensuring safe aircraft handling during turns. Understanding this relationship helps pilots manage their aircraft performance and maintain control during maneuvers.