Originally Posted by misd-agin
There are only two easy to know G's in aviation. One G(99+% of ops), and two G's (60 degree level bank). Almost everything else(30, 45 bank G's are published), absent a G meter, is just a guess.
Agreed, but there is a way to reach the max G for which the aircraft is certified. You could slow to just below Maneuvering speed, and then pull back hard on the yoke. You will stall before you bend, but I guess then the risk would definetely outweigh the reward. I certainly wouldn't want to stall an airliner just because the nose gear hasn't extended.
So many planes have had failed nosegear extensions and I've yet to see one go bad (that is a good thing). It is an emergency that is handled just like a normal landing, so I guess it is pretty much a non event. The only thing I see different is that you try and lower the nose down gently before the tail looses effectiveness.
