What is defined as the ratio of load divided by weight, often referred to as G force or G loading?

The term describing the ratio of load divided by weight, commonly known as G force or G loading, is "load factor." Load factor is a crucial concept in aviation as it indicates how much additional load is acting on an aircraft compared to its weight. It is calculated by dividing the lift generated by the aircraft by the aircraft's weight.

Understanding load factor is essential for pilots because it impacts the aircraft’s performance, structural integrity, and handling characteristics. For example, during maneuvers like turns or climbs, the load factor increases, which can affect the aircraft's stall speed and the pilot’s ability to control the aircraft. Higher load factors mean that the aircraft experiences greater forces on its structure, which can lead to potential structural failure if limits are exceeded.

The other choices refer to different concepts within aviation. Maneuvering speed is the maximum speed at which a pilot can safely make abrupt control inputs without stalling, stall speed is the speed below which the aircraft cannot maintain level flight, and critical angle of attack is the angle at which the aircraft will stall regardless of airspeed. Each of these terms addresses specific performance characteristics of the aircraft, but they do not represent the ratio of load to weight like load factor does.