Which term describes the outward force felt in a turning aircraft, opposite to the centripetal force?

• A. Centripetal force
• B. Gravitational force
• C. Centrifugal force
• D. Aerodynamic lift

Answer: (C)

In a turning aircraft, you must have an inward force toward the turn's center to change direction, which comes from the horizontal component of lift when the wings are banked. The sensation of being pushed toward the outside of the turn is due to your inertia—your body tends to keep going straight while the plane turns underneath you. In the rotating reference frame of the aircraft, that outward sensation is described as centrifugal force. So the outward force you feel is centrifugal force.

Centripetal force is the inward force that actually causes the turn (not the sensation you feel). Gravitational force is weight acting downward, not related to the outward feel in a level banked turn. Aerodynamic lift is the overall lift force; while it provides the centripetal component in a bank, it’s not the outward sensation itself.