Definition
In a banked turn, the total lift produced by the wings acts perpendicular to the wingspan and can be split into two components: a vertical component that opposes weight, and a horizontal component that pulls the aircraft toward the inside of the turn. The resultant lift is the single combined force vector produced by these two components — it is the actual lift the wings are generating, tilted in the direction of the bank.
Plain English
When you bank an aircraft, the lift no longer points straight up. It tilts sideways with the bank. Resultant lift is the name for that tilted total lift force — the real direction and strength of lift while you are turning.
Context Anchor
Seen in slow-speed flight and turn discussions, especially in diagrams that show the forces acting on an airplane during a banked turn.
Derivation
From Latin resultare, 'to spring back' or 'to follow as a consequence.' In physics, a 'resultant' is the single force that results from combining two or more forces. So resultant lift is simply the combined lift force that comes out of adding the vertical and horizontal lift components together.
Why Pilots Care
Proper management of resultant lift keeps the airplane from losing altitude while producing the desired turn rate without exceeding structural limits.
Grounding Statement
Picture the lift arrow leaning with the airplane: the up-and-down part supports the airplane, and the sideways part helps make the turn.
Intuition Check
Resultant lift does not mean extra lift or better lift. It means the total lift force, which is tilted when the airplane is tilted in a turn.
Example Sentence 1
As the pilot rolled into a 30-degree bank, the resultant lift tilted with the wings, and back pressure was needed to maintain altitude.
Example Sentence 2
If resultant lift does not supply sufficient vertical force, the airplane will descend even though the wings are still generating lift.