and encounters turbulence, the dihedral provides positive  lateral stability by providing more lift for the lower wing  and reducing the lift on the raised wing. As one wing lowers,  it becomes closer to perpendicular to the surface and level.  Because it is closer to level and perpendicular to the weight  force, the lift produced directly opposes the force of weight.  This must be instantly compared to the higher and now  more canted wing referenced to the force of weight. The  higher wing’s lift relative to the force of weight is now less  because of the vector angle. This imbalance of lift causes the  lower wing to rise as the higher descends until lift equalizes,  resulting in level flight.  [Figure 3-24] Before a glider turns, it must first overcome inertia, or its  tendency to continue in a straight line. A pilot creates the  necessary turning force by using the ailerons to bank the  glider so that the direction of total lift is inclined. This divides  the force of lift into two components; one component acts  vertically to oppose weight, while the other acts horizontally  to oppose centrifugal force. The latter is the horizontal  component of lift.  [Figure 3-25] To maintain attitude with the horizon during a turn, glider  pilots need to increase back pressure on the control stick. The  horizontal component of lift creates a force directed inward  toward the center of rotation, which is known as c entripetal  force.  [Figure 3-26]  This center-seeking force causes the glider  to turn. Since centripetal force works against the tendency of  the aircraft to continue in a straight line, inertia tends to oppose  centripetal force toward the outside of the turn. This opposing  force is known as  centrifugal force. In reality, centrifugal force  is not a true aerodynamic force; it is an apparent force that  results from the effect of inertia during the turn.  The preceding sections only briefly considered some of the  practical points of the principles of turning flight. However,  with the responsibilities of the pilot and the safety of  passengers, the competent pilot must have a well-founded  concept of the forces that act on the glider during turning  flight and the advantageous use of these forces, as well as  the operating limitations of the particular glider. Any force  applied to a glider to deflect its flight from a straight line  produces a stress on its structure; the amount of this force is  called  load factor. Load Factors Turning Flight Figure 3-24.  Dihedral angle. Figure 3-25.  Forces in a banked turn. Figure 3-26.  Centripetal force is a force that makes a body follow  a curved path. 3-13 Dihedral angle Dihedral angle Centripetal force Vertical component of lift (effective lift) Weight Resultant force Centrifugal force Lift