Definition
The apparent outward force felt by an object moving along a curved path. It is not a true force but the perceived effect of the object's inertia resisting the change in direction caused by centripetal force pulling it toward the center of the curve.
Plain English
When something moves in a circle, it feels like it's being pushed outward. That outward feeling is centrifugal force. It's really just the object trying to keep going in a straight line while something else pulls it around the curve.
Context Anchor
Encountered when learning level turns, especially when discussing the forces acting on the airplane in a bank.
Derivation
From Latin 'centrum' (center) and 'fugere' (to flee). Literally 'center-fleeing.' The name describes exactly what it feels like — something pulling away from the center of a turn.
Why Pilots Care
In a turn, centrifugal force adds to the load the wings must support. The steeper the bank, the greater this effect, which is why steep turns increase load factor and stall speed.
Analogy
When a car turns sharply, you may feel pushed toward the outside of the turn. That outward feeling is similar to centrifugal force in an airplane turn.
Grounding Statement
Think of swinging a bucket of water on a rope in a circle — the rope pulls the bucket inward, but the bucket feels like it's straining outward against the rope. That outward strain is centrifugal force.
Intuition Check
Centrifugal force does not mean the airplane is being pulled outward by a separate outside force. It is the outward effect felt because the airplane’s motion resists being turned from a straight path.
Example Sentence 1
As the airplane banked into a steep turn, centrifugal force pressed the pilot down into the seat.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot feels centrifugal force as side pressure against the seat when the airplane is not perfectly coordinated.