Which description defines a coordinated turn?

Which description defines a coordinated turn?

• A. A turn where the airplane's lift is used only for turning and the ball is off-center.
• B. A turn in which the aircraft slides sideways through the air.
• C. A turn in which the rate of turn matches the bank angle and the ball is centered.
• D. A turn where the engine provides extra thrust to maintain heading.

Answer: (C)

In a coordinated turn, the aircraft uses its bank to create the horizontal force needed for turning, while lift largely balances weight so the airplane doesn’t climb or sink. The ball in the turn indicator centers when there is no sideslip, meaning there’s no sideways tendency to move through the air—perfect coordination between the aircraft and the airflow. The rate of turn in a coordinated flight is linked to the bank angle: as you increase the bank, the turn rate increases in a predictable way. So describing a turn where the rate of turn matches the bank angle and the ball is centered captures both the turning dynamics and the absence of lateral slipping. If the ball were off-center, you’d have slipping or skidding; if the turn rate didn’t align with the bank, you’d need rudder input to compensate. Engine thrust alone doesn’t define a coordinated turn, since turning comes from bank-generated centripetal force, not simply from thrust.

In a coordinated turn, the aircraft uses its bank to create the horizontal force needed for turning, while lift largely balances weight so the airplane doesn’t climb or sink. The ball in the turn indicator centers when there is no sideslip, meaning there’s no sideways tendency to move through the air—perfect coordination between the aircraft and the airflow. The rate of turn in a coordinated flight is linked to the bank angle: as you increase the bank, the turn rate increases in a predictable way. So describing a turn where the rate of turn matches the bank angle and the ball is centered captures both the turning dynamics and the absence of lateral slipping. If the ball were off-center, you’d have slipping or skidding; if the turn rate didn’t align with the bank, you’d need rudder input to compensate. Engine thrust alone doesn’t define a coordinated turn, since turning comes from bank-generated centripetal force, not simply from thrust.