Private Pilot Private Exam

Which basic flight maneuver is known to increase the load factor on an airplane compared to straight-and-level flight?

1. Climbing

2. Descending

3. Turns

4. Gliding

The correct answer is: Turns

The correct answer highlights that turns significantly increase the load factor on an airplane compared to straight-and-level flight. When an aircraft enters a turn, especially a banked turn, the lift generated must not only counteract the weight of the airplane but also provide the necessary centripetal force to change the aircraft's direction. This results in an increase in the load factor, which can be quantified as the ratio of lift to weight. In a level turn, pilots may experience a load factor that can exceed 1g depending on the bank angle. For instance, a 30-degree bank in a coordinated level turn can lead to a load factor of approximately 1.15g, while a 60-degree bank increases it further to about 2g. Thus, the aircraft is under greater aerodynamic stress during turns, which is crucial for pilots to understand in terms of performance and safety margins. The other maneuvers, such as climbing and descending, do change the flight dynamics but typically do not increase the load factor in the same way that turning does. In climbing, while the aircraft may face increased drag and engine load, the primary lift still counters the weight straight up. Descending and gliding also primarily work against gravity in a linear path rather