What is the relationship between angle of bank and load supported by the wings during a turn?

The correct answer highlights the fundamental principle of aerodynamics in a turn. As an aircraft banks, the lift vector tilts along with the wings. The vertical component of this lift counteracts gravity, while the horizontal component provides the necessary centripetal force for the turn.

When the bank angle increases, the effective lift that the wings generate must also increase to maintain altitude. This is because a steeper bank angle requires more lift to hold the aircraft up against gravity. As a result, the load factor (or G-forces) imposed on the aircraft increases with the bank angle. For example, in a 45-degree bank, the load factor can increase to around 1.4 times the aircraft's weight, and at steeper angles, this can exceed 2.0 times the weight.

In contrast to this correct answer, the other options propose relationships that do not align with the principles of physics governing flight. If it decreased with an increase in bank angle or remained constant, it would imply that the aircraft could turn effectively without increasing lift, which is not feasible in maintaining altitude during a turn. An erratic and unpredictable relationship does not conform to the predictable nature of aerodynamics and does not reflect the consistent mathematical relationship that exists between bank