What effect does an increase in load factor have on the aircraft's stall speed?

An increase in load factor directly affects stall speed by increasing it. The stall speed of an aircraft is defined as the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain level flight. When load factor increases, which can occur during maneuvers like turns or when flying in turbulence, the aircraft experiences a greater amount of lift required to counteract the increased weight due to the increased load.

Stall speed is not a fixed value; it varies with the weight of the aircraft and the load factor. As the load factor increases, the amount of lift required to maintain level flight also increases, which means the aircraft must fly faster to achieve that lift. This results in an increased stall speed. In practical terms, if a pilot is performing a turn and the load factor goes up, they would have to be mindful of the higher stall speed to avoid the risk of an unintentional stall.

Thus, understanding the relationship between load factor and stall speed is crucial for safe aircraft operation, particularly when flying in conditions that necessitate higher load factors.