Aero-Tips!

A good pilot is always learning -- how many times have you heard this old standard throughout your flying career? There is no truer statement in all of flying (well, with the possible exception of "there are no old, bold pilots.") It's part of what makes aviation so exciting for all of us... just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a scenario you've never imagined.

Aero-News has called upon the expertise of Thomas P. Turner, master CFI and all-around-good-guy, to bring our readers -- and us -- daily tips to improve our skills as aviators, and as representatives of the flying community. Some of them, you may have heard before... but for each of us, there will also be something we might never have considered before, or something that didn't "stick" the way it should have the first time we memorized it for the practical test.

It is our unabashed goal that "Aero-Tips" will help our readers become better, safer pilots -- as well as introducing our ground-bound readers to the concepts and principles that keep those strange aluminum-and-composite contraptions in the air... and allow them to soar magnificently through it.

Look for our daily Aero-Tips segments, coming each day to you through the Aero-News Network. Suggestions for future Aero-Tips are always welcome, as are additions or discussion of each day's tips. Remember... when it comes to being better pilots, we're all in this together.

Aero-Tips 04.08.06

"Load factor" is the force being experienced by an airplane expressed as a function of the airplane's weight. A load factor of three, for instance, means the airplane is being stressed at three times its current weight. If an airplane is being turned on its lateral axis, pitching up (or down) the airplane tries to turn inside (or outside) the inertia that wants to carry it forward -- overcoming inertia is manifested in a higher load factor.

Load factor three, Mr. Sulu

Load factors are expressed in terms if "G", or the normal force of gravity. At a load factor of three our airplane is in "3G" flight; if the airplane currently weighs 2500 pounds at 3G its structure is subjected to 7500 pounds of force.

A level turn at about 70 degrees of bank results in a 3G load. That's pretty extreme, but at more "normal" banks like the 55� bank steep turn of FAA checkride fame the airplane will be at just under 2G, and a 45� bank creates roughly 1.5G. Banks at or below about 30� add little to no G-load.

Feel the force

You'll be able to feel the force of 1.5G or more. That's good-because high G-loads are potentially hazardous. Most airplanes are certified in the Normal category, meaning they will not be damaged at loads up to 3.8G (or negative, downward loads up to -1.52G). Some airplanes are certified in the Utility category, with a higher load factor tolerance. Utility category airplanes can withstand repeated load factors of +4.4 to -1.76. Aerobatic airplanes, designed for even more structural integrity while maneuvering, are stressed to +6.0 to -3.0G. Some airplanes may be certified to withstand even higher G-loads.

No one knows the cumulative effect of multiple high-G events over many, many years-longevity testing was not a part of aircraft certification until fairly recently. More immediately, increased load factor dramatically increases stalling speed. What's a perfectly safe airspeed at a 30� or lower bank may be dangerously close to (or below) stall speed if you let the bank angle get too steep. That's one reason your instructor told you to keep bank angles shallow in the traffic pattern.

Aero-tip of the day: Understand what causes increased G-loading, and why it can be hazardous.

FMI: Aero-Tips