PLT310: Load Factor Characteristics
What code PLT310 covers, why the FAA tests it, and how to study Load Factor Characteristics before your checkride.
Recall load factor - characteristics
What this means for your checkride
Load factor is the ratio of the load supported by the wings to the actual weight of the aircraft, expressed in G. In level unaccelerated flight the load factor is one, but maneuvers such as turns and pull ups increase it. As load factor rises, the effective weight the wings must support grows and structural limits can be approached.
Pilots must understand load factor to avoid overstressing the airframe and to appreciate how maneuvering raises stress on the wings.
Students underestimate how quickly load factor climbs in a steep turn, where even a level turn can significantly increase the G load.
Where to study it
A code on your test report is an area of deficiency. An authorized instructor must review it with you and endorse that review before you take the practical test, and the examiner may revisit it during the oral. Study it until you can explain it out loud, not just recognize the answer.