In a skidding turn, what is true about the forces acting on the aircraft?

In a skidding turn, the forces acting on the aircraft reveal that centrifugal force is indeed greater than horizontal lift. When an aircraft skids during a turn, it indicates that the airplane is yawing in the direction of the turn but not banked sufficiently. This condition creates a situation where the horizontal component of lift, which assists in making the turn, is inadequate to counteract the centrifugal force acting on the aircraft.

Centrifugal force, a result of the aircraft's circular path, pushes the aircraft outward in relation to the turn, while the horizontal lift component generated by the aircraft's wings attempts to pull it inward towards the center of the turn. If the bank angle is insufficient, the horizontal lift cannot balance out the centrifugal force, leading to the condition where centrifugal force exceeds horizontal lift.

Therefore, understanding the dynamics of a skidding turn highlights the critical importance of proper bank angles to ensure that the forces are balanced, preventing dangerous situations such as loss of control or an increase in stall risk.