FAA Ground School Practice Test

What effect does an increased load factor have during an approach to a stall?

1. Causes a stall at a lower airspeed

2. Has no effect on stall speed

3. Causes a stall at a higher airspeed

4. Prevents the airplane from stalling

The correct answer is: Causes a stall at a higher airspeed

An increased load factor during an approach to a stall causes a stall to occur at a higher airspeed. The load factor is defined as the total weight of the aircraft divided by the lift produced. When a pilot increases the angle of bank or performs maneuvers that increase load factor, the wings must generate more lift to support the increased weight, which in turn raises the stall speed. Stall speed is the minimum airspeed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight, and this speed is affected by the aerodynamic forces in play. As the load factor increases, the aircraft experiences greater demands on lift, necessitating a higher airspeed to prevent the wings from exceeding their critical angle of attack. Therefore, the correct answer indicates that with an increased load factor, the aircraft will stall at a higher airspeed than it would under normal, level flight conditions. Understanding this relationship is crucial for pilots because recognizing how load factor and airspeed interact is vital for safe flight operations, especially during maneuvers that could potentially lead to stall situations.