The load factor () in a coordinated turn refers to the ratio of the total lift force acting on an aircraft to its weight. It quantifies the additional force experienced by the aircraft due to centrifugal acceleration during the turn. During a coordinated turn, the load factor increases as the bank angle of the turn increases. This is because the aircraft’s wings must generate more lift to sustain the turn and counteract the centrifugal forces that push the aircraft outward. The load factor () in a coordinated turn can be expressed as:
Where:
- is the bank angle of the turn.
- n is the Load factor