SIFT Army Aviation Information Practice Test

What happens to the weight of a helicopter when a pilot banks the aircraft to turn?

1. The machine's weight increases

2. The machine's weight remains the same

3. The machine's gravitational drag increases

4. The vertical component of the lift vector remains the same

The correct answer is: The machine's weight increases

When a pilot banks a helicopter to turn, the helicopter's weight remains constant; it is determined by the mass of the helicopter and the gravitational force acting on it. While the weight does not change, the dynamics of the helicopter during the turn do affect how the lift and drag are distributed. As the aircraft banks, the lift vector is tilted. This results in a horizontal component that provides the necessary centripetal force for the turn, as well as a vertical component that counteracts the weight of the helicopter. Therefore, during the turn, the pilot must manage the increase in load factor, which can effectively make the helicopter feel like it is heavier in terms of how much lift must be generated to maintain altitude, but the inherent weight remains unchanged. The gravitational drag does not inherently increase due to banking; rather, the distribution of forces acting on the helicopter is what changes. Similarly, while the vertical component of the lift vector does remain the same at a steady altitude, it is the management of the overall lift that becomes crucial during a banked turn to avoid climbing or descending during the maneuver. Understanding these dynamics is essential for pilots to maintain control and ensure safe flight operations when making turns.