Definition
The apparent weight of an airplane during a maneuver involving load factor greater than one. In a level turn, effective weight equals the airplane's actual weight multiplied by the load factor produced by the bank angle. The wings must produce lift equal to this effective weight to maintain altitude.
Plain English
How much the airplane seems to weigh when it is being pulled by g-forces in a turn or pull-up. The steeper the bank, the heavier the airplane behaves, even though its real weight has not changed.
Context Anchor
Encountered when studying steep turns, load factor, increased stall speed, and the extra lift needed to hold altitude in a bank.
Derivation
From Latin effectivus, 'producing a result.' Here it means the weight that effectively acts on the wings during the maneuver — what the wings have to lift right now, not what the airplane weighs sitting on the ramp.
Why Pilots Care
As bank angle increases, effective weight grows, raising stall speed and demanding more back pressure and precise coordination to avoid an unintentional stall.
Grounding Statement
In a steep turn, the airplane is not physically heavier, but the wings must carry a heavier load.
Intuition Check
Do not read effective weight as actual weight. It means the weight the airplane acts like it has because of the forces in the maneuver.
Example Sentence 1
In a 45-degree banked level turn, the effective weight of the airplane is about 1.41 times its actual weight, so the wings must produce that much more lift.
Example Sentence 2
Before rolling into a steep turn the instructor reminded the student that effective weight will rise and stall speed will increase accordingly.