I'm not sure you're correct there Backpacker. This was the feedback we got after the RAF trials. Having a reduced rate of descent in a gentler turn is no good to you when you're pointing in the wrong direction and extending your ground track with a wider turn. I could probably dig out the old Aero Eng university notes and do the maths but greater minds than mine have worked it out and trialled it before me.
As I alluded to in my previous post, it's not the height loss after a 180 degree turn that matters. Its the height loss to get to the runway that counts. Higher angles of bank will give tighter turns which means fewer track miles and fewer total degrees of turning. Steeper turns increase the risk of loss of control, gentler turns reduce your chance of making it to the runway.
I think we can both agree though that turnbacks are to be avoided.
Last edited by Torque Tonight; 25th Jan 2013 at 16:35.