Certified Flight Instructor - Flight Instructor Airplane Practice Exam

What effect does increasing load factor have on stall speed?

1. Decreases stall speed.

2. Increases stall speed.

3. No effect on stall speed.

4. Depends on the aircraft design.

The correct answer is: Increases stall speed.

Increasing the load factor has a direct impact on stall speed in an aircraft, resulting in an increase in stall speed. The stall speed of an aircraft is the minimum speed at which it can maintain controlled flight at a given weight and loading condition. When the load factor increases, such as during sharp turns or when any accelerative force is applied, the wings must generate more lift to counteract the added weight effect because more lift is needed to maintain level flight. This is based on the fundamental relationship defined by the lift equation, which states that lift must equal weight. Since lift is a product of the coefficient of lift, air density, the wing area, and the square of the velocity, when the load factor increases, the required lift and thus velocity must also increase to prevent a stall. Therefore, as the load factor climbs, the corresponding stall speed also rises, indicating that pilots must be aware of this effect, particularly during maneuvers that increase load factors significantly. Understanding this concept is crucial for pilots, especially for those instructing, as they need to emphasize the importance of maintaining appropriate airspeeds during varied flight conditions to avoid stalls.