What effect would gusts and turbulence have on the load factor of a glider as airspeed changes?

• A. Load factor increases as airspeed increases
• B. Load factor decreases as airspeed increases
• C. Load factor remains constant regardless of airspeed
• D. Load factor varies unpredictably with gusts

Answer: (A)

The main idea is how gusts and turbulence affect lift relative to weight. Load factor is lift divided by weight. In a gust, the wing is suddenly exposed to a change in angle of attack, producing a quick rise (or fall) in lift. Lift grows with dynamic pressure, which is proportional to V^2. So for the same gust, increasing airspeed makes the gust-induced change in lift larger. With weight staying basically the same, that bigger lift translates into a higher instantaneous load factor. In calm air, level flight keeps lift roughly equal to weight, so the load factor stays near 1, but gusts at higher speeds push the load factor higher.