What happens to horizontal lift during a balanced turn?

During a balanced turn, horizontal lift is specifically aligned with the centrifugal force acting on the aircraft. In a turn, the aircraft experiences a change in direction that requires a force to maintain this curved path. This force comes from the lift produced by the wings and is directed toward the center of the turn.

In a balanced turn, the vertical component of lift counteracts the weight of the aircraft, while the horizontal component of lift is what provides the necessary force to counteract centrifugal force. Essentially, for a turn to be balanced, the total lift generated must be sufficient not only to support the weight but also to produce the necessary horizontal force to keep the aircraft in a circular path.

Therefore, during a balanced turn, horizontal lift does equal the centrifugal force, allowing the pilot to maintain the desired flight path without losing altitude or causing an uncoordinated turn. The other options would imply variations or reductions in this relationship that do not apply in the context of a balanced turn.