While holding the angle of bank constant in a level turn, if the rate of turn is varied, the load factor would which of the following?

• A. Remain constant regardless of air density and the resultant lift vector
• B. Increase with air density
• C. Vary with air density
• D. Decrease with air density

Answer: (A)

In a level turn with the bank angle held constant, the lift must balance weight in the vertical direction while the horizontal component provides the centripetal force for turning. Because vertical equilibrium gives L cos(phi) = W, the lift must be L = W / cos(phi). The load factor is n = L / W = 1 / cos(phi). Since phi is fixed, the load factor is fixed as well, regardless of how fast you’re turning. The rate of turn can change by adjusting speed (which changes the radius) but won’t change the required lift magnitude for that bank angle. Air density doesn’t change weight, so it doesn’t alter the load factor either. Therefore the load factor remains constant for a given bank angle, even as the rate of turn varies. For example, at a 30-degree bank, n is about 1.15 regardless of density or turn rate.