Centrifugal force is defined as which of the following?

• A. An outward force that opposes centripetal force, resulting from inertia during a turn.
• B. An inward force toward the rotation center.
• C. A force perpendicular to the flight path.
• D. A force caused by thrust.

Answer: (A)

Centrifugal force is the outward effect you feel in a turn, caused by the mass of the airplane trying to go straight while the aircraft is being curved toward a turn center. To keep the airplane following a circular path, an inward force toward the center (centripetal) is required, provided mainly by lift and, when needed, wing structure. From the pilot’s perspective in the turning frame, that inward pull has you feeling pushed outward against the seat and instruments—the centrifugal force. It’s a useful concept for understanding how load factors increase in a turn.

The other ideas don’t fit: an inward force toward the center is centripetal force, not centrifugal; a force perpendicular to the flight path isn’t the description used for the turn dynamics; thrust acts along the fuselage and is not the outward reaction in a turn.