Load Factor
Ratio of lift to weight, felt as g-force.
Formula
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Example
Level flight = 1 g
How it works
Load factor tells you how hard the wings are supporting the aircraft compared with its weight. It is found by dividing lift by weight because lift is the upward aerodynamic force and weight is the downward force that must be balanced or exceeded for the airplane to maintain or change its flight path. A load factor above 1 means the wings are carrying more than the aircraft’s weight, which is why pilots feel heavier in turns or pull-ups.
When to use it
Use this formula when analyzing maneuvering flight, such as turns, pull-ups, turbulence, or any situation where the aircraft is not simply cruising straight and level. It is also useful for checking structural limits and estimating how “heavy” the aircraft will feel to occupants.
Worked example, step by step
An aircraft weighs 8,000 N and the wings are producing 12,000 N of lift during a steep turn. n = L / W n = 12,000 / 8,000 n = 1.5 So the load factor is 1.5, meaning the aircraft is experiencing 1.5 g.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using mass instead of weight without converting to force units
- Thinking load factor is the same as airspeed rather than a force ratio
- Forgetting that lift must be compared with the aircraft’s actual weight in the current condition, not its empty weight
Did You Know?
In a steep 60° bank turn, pilots and passengers feel double their weight — a load factor of 2 g.
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