Private Pilot License (PPL) Aerodynamics Practice Exam

Which basic flight maneuver increases the load factor on an airplane as compared to straight-and-level flight?

1. Climbing

2. Cruising

3. Turns

4. Descending

The correct answer is: Turns

In straight-and-level flight, the load factor on the aircraft is equal to the weight of the aircraft divided by the lift produced. However, when an airplane enters a turn, the load factor increases. This is primarily due to the need for the lift vector to not only counteract the weight of the aircraft but also to provide the necessary centripetal force to change the aircraft's direction. During a turn, the lift must be increased to sustain the same altitude while also maintaining the aircraft's banking angle. As the bank angle increases, the effective weight of the aircraft increases, which results in a greater load factor. For example, at a bank angle of 60 degrees, the load factor can increase to 2 times the weight of the aircraft. This means that the pilots and passengers will feel heavier during a turn compared to straight-and-level flight. In contrasting scenarios such as climbing, cruising, and descending, the load factor either remains at 1 G in level flight or changes in a way that does not create the same increase in load factor associated with turns. Therefore, turns specifically are recognized for their ability to significantly alter the load factor due to the dynamics of maneuvering an aircraft in a circular path.