Calculation of g-force of a tight turn with an F2D plane

speed of an F2D plane:

• lap time of 2.2 seconds has been reported for a fast F2D plane
• 100m circle circumference in 2.2 seconds = 45.5 m/s (=164kph!)
• estimate that the plane can loop with a radius of 2m

equations for centripital force and acceleration:

• force f = mv²/r (the standard formula for force, but we're looking for acceleration (in "g"s)

• acceleration a = v²/r (since f=ma, now we have the formula for acceleration)

• a = 45.5² / 2 = 1033 m/s/s

• gravitational constant g = 9.82 m/s/s (so that we can express it as g's rather than m/s/s)
• acceleration a = 1033/9.82 g = 105g (convert to "g"s)

• voila! 105g acceleration in the turn.

PeterMills 2007-01-11