While maintaining a constant angle of bank and altitude, decreasing the rate of turn will result in what change to the load factor?

While maintaining a constant angle of bank and altitude, decreasing the rate of turn will result in what change to the load factor?

• A. Load factor remains unchanged
• B. Load factor increases
• C. Load factor decreases
• D. Load factor becomes negative

Answer: (A)

In a steady, level turn the lift must balance weight and provide the horizontal force for turning. The load factor is defined as n = L/W, and for a level turn L = W / cos(phi), so n = 1 / cos(phi). This means the load factor depends only on the bank angle, not on how quickly you’re turning. If the bank angle and altitude are fixed but the rate of turn changes (for example, by changing speed), the required lift—and thus the load factor—stays the same. So the load factor remains unchanged.

In a steady, level turn the lift must balance weight and provide the horizontal force for turning. The load factor is defined as n = L/W, and for a level turn L = W / cos(phi), so n = 1 / cos(phi). This means the load factor depends only on the bank angle, not on how quickly you’re turning. If the bank angle and altitude are fixed but the rate of turn changes (for example, by changing speed), the required lift—and thus the load factor—stays the same. So the load factor remains unchanged.