The side force coefficient () is an aerodynamic parameter that describes the generation of lateral (side) force on an aircraft in response to sideslip. Sideslip occurs when the aircraft’s longitudinal axis is not aligned with the relative wind. The side force () is the aerodynamic force acting perpendicular to the aircraft’s longitudinal axis. The formula to calculate Side force coefficient as follows:
Where:
- is the side force coefficient.
- is the total side force acting on the aircraft in N
- is the air density in Kg/m3
- is the airspeed of the aircraft in m/s
- is the reference area (usually the wing area) in m2.