In a steady, horizontal, coordinated turn, which force balance is true along the flight path?

• A. Thrust equals drag
• B. Lift equals weight
• C. Weight equals thrust
• D. Drag equals lift

Answer: (A)

In a steady, horizontal, coordinated turn the aircraft travels at constant speed along a horizontal circular path, so there is no tangential acceleration. The forces along the direction of motion must balance, which means thrust forward must equal drag backward. The lift, tilted due to banking, has a vertical component that counteracts weight and a horizontal component that provides the centripetal force for the turn, but these components act perpendicular to the direction of the flight path, not along it. So the true along-path balance is thrust equals drag.