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I have a radius, R, for an aircraft traveling at velocity, V. If we start at point, (X,Y), what is the position of the point at time, t.

For example:
The aircraft is at point (0,0) and traveling at 250 knots and initiates a turn with a bank angle, phi, of 5 degrees. Assume that the aircraft can instantaneously rotate to the five degree bank. The equation for the turn radius, R where g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.81) is: \begin{equation} \text{R} = \frac{V^2}{\text{g} \tan{\phi}} \end{equation}

For this example, R = 10.4 nautical miles. Where is the aircraft at t = 2 if the aircraft is traveling at a heading of 90 degrees (straight along the y axis)?

  • I assume the movement is circular. To define the position of a point moving along a circular path with constant speed it is necessary to know the centre of the path, besides its radius. 2) In the example the starting point is $(x,y)=(0,0)$. What is the movement centre? 3) Is $V$ the angular speed or the magnitude of the tangential speed? 4) And what is $\theta$?
  • – Américo Tavares Nov 29 '10 at 21:33
  • @Americo, question updated – Elpezmuerto Nov 29 '10 at 21:47
  • What is the direction of the turn? In my answer I assumed it was to the left. If it is to the right, then one has a symmetric motion with respect to the $y-$axis. – Américo Tavares Nov 30 '10 at 12:32