What effect does increasing load factor have on stall speed?

Increasing the load factor has a direct impact on stall speed, resulting in an increase. The load factor, which is defined as the lift being generated by the aircraft divided by the weight of the aircraft, increases as the aircraft maneuvers, especially during turns or when encountering turbulence.

As the load factor increases, the aircraft requires more lift to maintain level flight. This increase in lift is achieved by increasing angle of attack, but there is a limit to how far the angle of attack can be increased before the airflow over the wing becomes turbulent and detached, leading to a stall. Therefore, a higher load factor means that the aircraft is closer to reaching that critical angle of attack for stall at a given airspeed, thereby increasing the stall speed.

In a practical sense, this means that during maneuvers that increase the load factor—such as steep turns—the stall speed also increases, requiring the pilot to be more vigilant and manage airspeed carefully to avoid stalling the aircraft. Understanding this relationship is crucial for safe flight operations, particularly in complex flight environments.