In a coordinated constant-altitude turn, for a given bank angle, the load factor is:

In a coordinated constant-altitude turn, for a given bank angle, the load factor is:

• A. constant
• B. increases with airspeed
• C. decreases with altitude
• D. varies with bank

Answer: (A)

In a coordinated constant-altitude turn, the lift must do two jobs: support the aircraft’s weight and provide the horizontal force to turn. The load factor n is the ratio of lift to weight (n = L/W). For a level turn, the vertical component of lift must balance weight, so L cos(phi) = W. Therefore L = W / cos(phi), and n = L/W = 1/cos(phi) = sec(phi). With the bank angle fixed, cos(phi) is fixed, so the load factor is fixed as well. It doesn’t depend on airspeed or altitude in this ideal model, only on the bank angle.

In a coordinated constant-altitude turn, the lift must do two jobs: support the aircraft’s weight and provide the horizontal force to turn. The load factor n is the ratio of lift to weight (n = L/W). For a level turn, the vertical component of lift must balance weight, so L cos(phi) = W. Therefore L = W / cos(phi), and n = L/W = 1/cos(phi) = sec(phi). With the bank angle fixed, cos(phi) is fixed, so the load factor is fixed as well. It doesn’t depend on airspeed or altitude in this ideal model, only on the bank angle.