Question

An aeroplane maintains straight and level flight at a speed of 2𝑉 . If at this speed, a vertical gust
causes a load factor of 3, the load factor 𝑛 caused by the same gust at a speed of 1.4𝑉 would be:

a) 𝑛 3.00
b) not greater than 1.96, because the aeroplane is stalled with a higher load factor at 1.4𝑉
c) 𝑛 2.10
d) 𝑛 2.40

Correct Answer: B

Solution

Step 1: Evaluate Stalling Load Factor at 𝑽𝟏

𝑉
𝑛 ,
𝑉
2𝑉
𝑛 ,
𝑉
4
𝑛 , 3 and 𝑛 , 4, i.e., 𝑛 , 𝑛 , , the aircraft does not stall and therefore

𝑛 𝑛 , 3

Step 2: Evaluate Stalling Load Factor at 𝑽𝟐

𝑉
𝑛 ,
𝑉
1.4𝑉
𝑛 ,
𝑉
1.96
𝑛 , 1.96

Step 3: Evaluate Theoretical Gust Load Factor at 𝑽𝟐

𝑉 Δ𝑛 𝑛 , 1
𝑉 Δ𝑛 𝑛 , 1
2𝑉 3 1
1.4𝑉 𝑛 , 1
1.4𝑉
𝑛 3 1 1
2𝑉
𝑛 2 0.7 1 2.4

𝑛 , 1.96; 𝑛 , 2.4

𝑛 , 𝑛 , , the aircraft will stall at 𝑛 1.96 and will never achieve the theoretical gust load
factor of 𝑛 2.4. Hence 𝑛 𝑛 1.96

Detailed & Generalized Explanation for the Solution Given on next page
Symbols and Denotations:

𝑉 Velocity 1

𝑉 Velocity 2

𝑛 , Theoretical Gust Load Factor at 𝑉 for a given upwards gust

𝑛 , Theoretical Gust Load Factor at 𝑉 for a given upwards gust

𝑛 , Stalling Load Factor at 𝑉

𝑛 , Stalling Load Factor at 𝑉

𝑛 Actual Gust Load Factor at 𝑉 for a given upwards gust

𝑛 Actual Gust Load Factor at 𝑉 for a given upwards gust

Given Required
 𝑉 and 𝑉 in terms of 𝑉  𝑛
 𝑛 ,

Step 1: Evaluate the 𝑛 , , the stalling load factor for the given speed, 𝑉

𝑉 𝑉 𝑛 ,
𝑉
𝑛 ,
𝑉
Conclusion for 𝑽𝟏

1. If 𝑛 , 𝑛 , , then aircraft stalls before reaching theoretical load factor of 𝑛 , , and

therefore 𝑛 𝑛, .
2. If 𝑛 , 𝑛 , , then the aircraft does not stall, and 𝑛 𝑛 , . Proceed to Step 2

Step 2: Evaluate the stalling load factor, 𝑛 , when speed is 𝑉

𝑉 𝑉 𝑛 ,
𝑉
𝑛 ,
𝑉
Step 3: Evaluate the theoretical load factor, 𝑛 , , when speed is 𝑉 for the same up gust

𝑉 Δ𝑛 𝑛 , 1
𝑉 Δ𝑛 𝑛 , 1

Note: At straight and Level, n is 1, therefore 𝛥𝐿𝐹 will be 𝐿𝐹 1

Conclusion

1. If 𝑛 , 𝑛 , , then no stalling occurs due to up gust and 𝑛 𝑛 ,

2. If 𝑛 , 𝑛 , , then aircraft stalls before experiencing load factor of 𝑛 , and therefore
𝑛 𝑛 ,