The load factor, in aviation, refers to the ratio of the aerodynamic forces experienced by an aircraft to its weight. During a pull-down maneuver, the load factor decreases as the aircraft’s acceleration opposes the force of gravity. This maneuver involves pulling the aircraft’s nose downward, causing a decrease in lift and an increase in apparent weight. The load factor during a pull-down maneuver is typically negative, indicating a decrease in the force experienced by the aircraft relative to its weight. This decrease is essential for various maneuvers such as recovery from a stall or executing specific aerobatic maneuvers. The formula to calculate load factor as follows:
Where:
- is the load factor,
- is the velocity of the aircraft in m/s,
- is the Turn rate in rad/s,
- is the gravity in m/s2.