Load factor, in aviation, refers to the ratio of the lift force acting on an aircraft to the aircraft’s weight. It quantifies the amount of force experienced by an aircraft in flight relative to its weight and is expressed as a dimensionless number. an increase in the load factor () leads to a higher turn rate (), indicating greater agility and maneuverability during aircraft turns. The formula to calculate load factor () is:
- : Load factor
- : Velocity (m/s)
- : Turn rate (rad/s)
- : gravity (m/s²)