RJGlidingClub.com - Load Factor

Load factor is the ratio of the lifting ability of the wings to the weight of the aircraft and its contents. The stall speed increases proportional to the square root of the load factor. An inadvertent stall is more likely when preceded by an increased load factor. If the stall occurs at a speed exceeding the Va maneuvering speed the aircraft may warp, spindle or mutilate. All recoveries from stall and spins require a loss of altitude, increase in airspeed and the load factor in the pull up.

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Load Factor

Load factor is the ratio of the total load supported by the airplane’s wing to the total weight of the airplane. In still air flight, the load on the wing equals the lift it generates. The load factor is expressed in G units. In an unaccelerated level flight the load on the wings is equal to lift and to the weight. Consequently, the load factor equals 1G. If Lift = Weight then Lift / Weight = 1G.

The load factor may be POSITIVE or NEGATIVE.

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