A load factor of 1.2 indicates that the total load on an aircraft's structure is how many times its gross weight?

A load factor is a critical concept in aviation that describes the stress placed on an aircraft's structure relative to its weight. It is defined as the ratio of the lift acting on an aircraft to its weight. When the load factor is stated as 1.2, it means that the total load on the aircraft’s structure is 1.2 times its gross weight.

This additional load often occurs during maneuvers or when facing turbulence, where the aircraft experiences increased acceleration forces. Understanding the load factor helps pilots and engineers ensure that the aircraft is structurally sound and capable of handling those increased loads without risking structural failure or instability. In this case, a load factor of 1.2 signifies that the aircraft must support 120% of its own weight during certain flight conditions, indicating a situation where the aircraft is under moderate positive acceleration.