The load factor is defined as

The load factor is defined as

• A. The ratio of the maximum load to the gross weight
• B. The ratio of drag to lift
• C. The ratio of thrust to weight
• D. The ratio of wing area to weight

Answer: (A)

Load factor tells you how many times the airplane’s weight is supported by the aerodynamic forces. It is defined as the lift the wings generate divided by the aircraft’s weight, i.e., L/W. That ratio equals the number of g’s the airplane experiences: in level flight lift equals weight, so the load factor is 1; during maneuvers requiring more lift, L increases and the load factor climbs above 1. Other options mix up different forces or geometry and do not describe the load the aircraft experiences.

Load factor tells you how many times the airplane’s weight is supported by the aerodynamic forces. It is defined as the lift the wings generate divided by the aircraft’s weight, i.e., L/W. That ratio equals the number of g’s the airplane experiences: in level flight lift equals weight, so the load factor is 1; during maneuvers requiring more lift, L increases and the load factor climbs above 1. Other options mix up different forces or geometry and do not describe the load the aircraft experiences.