Which flight maneuver increases the load factor on an airplane compared to straight-and-level flight?

The correct answer is that turns increase the load factor on an airplane compared to straight-and-level flight. When an aircraft is in a turn, it must generate additional lift to maintain altitude because the lift is directed perpendicular to the wings and is now partially acting against the pull of gravity in a banked position.

This results in a higher load factor—essentially the ratio of the lift generated by the wings to the weight of the aircraft—in a turn than when flying straight and level. For example, a 30-degree banked turn can result in a load factor of approximately 1.15, meaning the aircraft experiences a load factor greater than its weight, which can be felt by pilots and passengers as increased g-forces.

Climbs, descents, and stalls do not inherently increase load factors in the same way turns do. During climbs, the load factor may remain steady or increase slightly, but the main focus is on thrust and lift required to overcome weight rather than changes in load factor due to bank angles. In descents, the load factor typically decreases as the aircraft is not counteracting its weight with increased lift. Stalls occur when an aircraft exceeds its critical angle of attack, resulting in a loss of lift and thus a decrease