What is the altitude loss associated with a 60° bank during descent?

To determine the altitude loss associated with a 60° bank during descent, it's important to understand the effects of bank angle on an aircraft's lift and drag forces during a turn. In a 60° bank, the lift vector is tilted significantly, resulting in an increase in the load factor. This requires more lift to maintain altitude, which means that if altitude is not intentionally being held, the aircraft will lose altitude more quickly due to the increased workload on the wings.

At a bank angle of 60°, the load factor increases to approximately 2g, meaning the aircraft must produce twice the lift to maintain level flight compared to straight and level conditions. When descending, this increased load factor results in a more pronounced altitude loss due to the combination of increased induced drag and the need for greater thrust to maintain lift.

Based on standard calculations for altitude loss during turns at various bank angles, it is determined that a descent at a 60° bank angle typically results in an altitude loss of approximately 1,000 feet. This aligns with the understanding that the greater the bank angle, the steeper the descent path, contributing to significant altitude loss if not compensated for.

Thus, the altitude loss associated with a 60° bank during a descent is