How to calculate g-force?

Question

A 35,000 kg plane travelling 120 m/s turns in a full circle, the period being 12 s. If the plane maintains constant altitude and velocity, what is the g-force on the pilot?

Answer 1

The number of g's on the pilot in the radial direction is (v²/r)/g.

 

v = 120 m/s

 

T = 12 s

 

g = 9.8 m/s²

 

2πr/T = v ⇒

 

r = vT/(2π)

 

Plug in v and T, and get r.  Then plug v, r, and g into (v²/r)/g to get the number of g's in the radial direction.