FAA Ground School Practice Test

The amount of excess load that can be imposed on the wing of an airplane depends upon the:

1. Weight of the aircraft

2. Speed of the airplane

3. Wing shape

4. Altitude of the flight

The correct answer is: Speed of the airplane

The correct answer is based on the relationship between aircraft speed and lift generation. As the speed of an airplane increases, the airflow over the wings accelerates, which increases the lift produced. This lift is crucial because it determines how much excess load, or load factor, the wings can safely handle before reaching structural limits. Load factor refers to the ratio of the lift force to the weight of the aircraft. When an aircraft maneuvers, such as during a sharp turn or rapid climb, the load factor can increase. This increase is directly influenced by how fast the aircraft is moving; higher speeds can lead to greater lift and thus a greater capacity to handle excess load. While the weight of the aircraft and the wing shape are factors that contribute to overall performance, they do not directly dictate the excess load capability in the same way that speed does. Altitude can affect air density and lift, but it does not have the same immediate relationship with load factors in the context of excess load. Therefore, the speed of the airplane is the most critical factor in determining the amount of excess load that can be imposed on its wings.