Rule of thumb (literally)

If set at 60nm range, a width of thumb is required to ensure 5 miles between aircraft.

Only works if you have my thumbs though :ok:

Inertia has no part to play in an a/c performing a balanced turn.

Lift vector tilted etc

Seeing as inertia is a masses resistance to a change in velocity (as in direction as well as speed) shouldn't it have an effect? Or does it not apply around the axis????...I can see that once the turn had started it would progress at the same rate and radius but I thought entering and exiting (ie changing velocity) would be slower.
cheers (go the boffins)

As a dedicated layman in this field, I am sure someone will correct my terminology, but to try and explain further (thread drift alert)

The force being applied to change the a/c direction is proportional to the mass of the a/c.

Large a/c

L = W

Small a/c

l = w

The turn force comes from the tilted lift vector.

As simple as I can put it.

Rule * - When providing a RIS to military pilots and calling traffic to them expect a request for an upgrade to RAS when the conflictor is within 2 miles! Every time!

Distictly, of course the mil pilot rule of thumb is:

Never expect a RAS from a civvi :p

My ATC rule of thumb:

If you can't do it, teach it
If you can't teach it, examine it

I give out RASs occasionally, just never to the Mil. :E

<<If you can't do it, teach it
If you can't teach it, examine it>>

And if you're utterly inept at all those things.... manage it.

All I can say about this lengthy discussion is that my eyes were badly deceiving me for 31+ years!