An increased load factor impacts stall speed by what effect?

An increased load factor impacts stall speed by what effect?

• A. Decreases Stall Speed
• B. Increases Stall Speed
• C. No Change to Stall Speed
• D. Depends on Bank Angle

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that stall speed depends on how much lift you must produce. In a turn or pull, the aircraft must generate more lift than in straight-and-level flight to support not only the weight but the extra centrifugal load, so the required lift equals weight times the load factor (n). Lift capability at a given speed is L = 0.5 ρ V^2 S Cl, and stall happens when Cl reaches its maximum, Cl_max. Setting L = W n and using Cl = Cl_max at the stall point gives V_stall ∝ sqrt(W n / (ρ S Cl_max)). With weight roughly constant, increasing the load factor n raises the needed lift, so the stall speed must increase. In short, higher load factor means you must fly faster to avoid stalling.

The key idea is that stall speed depends on how much lift you must produce. In a turn or pull, the aircraft must generate more lift than in straight-and-level flight to support not only the weight but the extra centrifugal load, so the required lift equals weight times the load factor (n). Lift capability at a given speed is L = 0.5 ρ V^2 S Cl, and stall happens when Cl reaches its maximum, Cl_max. Setting L = W n and using Cl = Cl_max at the stall point gives V_stall ∝ sqrt(W n / (ρ S Cl_max)). With weight roughly constant, increasing the load factor n raises the needed lift, so the stall speed must increase. In short, higher load factor means you must fly faster to avoid stalling.