What is the effect of gusts on load factor during flight?

• A. Load factor increases due to transient lift changes
• B. Load factor becomes zero
• C. Load factor decreases below nominal
• D. Load factor remains constant

Answer: (A)

Gusts cause rapid changes in the airflow seen by the wing, which temporarily change the angle of attack and thus lift. An upward gust pushes the airflow upward relative to the wing, increasing the local angle of attack momentarily. Lift rises with angle of attack (and dynamic pressure) up to its limit, so this transient lift increase raises the lift-to-weight ratio, i.e., the load factor, above the nominal value for a brief moment. When the gust passes, lift returns toward its original value and the load factor settles back to normal. A downward gust would reduce lift and temporarily lower the load factor, but the key outcome of a gust is this brief rise in load factor rather than a constant or zero load.