When airspeed is decreased during a coordinated level turn, what happens to the load factor?

When airspeed is decreased during a coordinated level turn, what happens to the load factor?

• A. It remains the same.
• B. It decreases.
• C. It increases.
• D. It fluctuates randomly.

Answer: (A)

In a coordinated level turn, the load factor is determined by the angle of bank and the centrifugal force acting on the aircraft. When the airspeed decreases, the aircraft still maintains a specific bank angle to remain in a coordinated turn. Although decreasing airspeed can lead to a reduction in lift, the required lift to maintain flight in a turn (which accounts for both the weight of the aircraft and the increased load factor) must still be generated. If the angle of bank remains constant, the load factor does not change with airspeed. This is because the load factor depends primarily on the bank angle rather than airspeed itself. Therefore, as long as the bank angle is constant and the turn is coordinated, the load factor will remain the same regardless of changes in airspeed. In summary, the correct choice is that the load factor remains the same, provided the angle of bank is held constant during the turn.

In a coordinated level turn, the load factor is determined by the angle of bank and the centrifugal force acting on the aircraft. When the airspeed decreases, the aircraft still maintains a specific bank angle to remain in a coordinated turn. Although decreasing airspeed can lead to a reduction in lift, the required lift to maintain flight in a turn (which accounts for both the weight of the aircraft and the increased load factor) must still be generated.

If the angle of bank remains constant, the load factor does not change with airspeed. This is because the load factor depends primarily on the bank angle rather than airspeed itself. Therefore, as long as the bank angle is constant and the turn is coordinated, the load factor will remain the same regardless of changes in airspeed.

In summary, the correct choice is that the load factor remains the same, provided the angle of bank is held constant during the turn.