How does an increase in load factor affect the stalling speed of an aircraft?

An increase in load factor raises the stalling speed of an aircraft. When an aircraft's load factor increases, typically due to bank angles or maneuvers that create more lift, the amount of lift required to maintain a level flight increases correspondingly. Since the stalling speed is defined as the minimum speed at which the wings can maintain lift, a higher load factor means that the aircraft must fly at a higher speed to produce enough lift to counteract the increased weight from the load factor.

When the load factor is increased, the effective weight of the aircraft increases, leading to a requirement for more speed to maintain controlled flight. This is why the correct understanding is that an increase in load factor results in a higher stalling speed, indicating that option stating a decrease in stalling airspeed is not accurate, and the option that suggests stalling airspeed does not change misrepresents the relationship between load factor and stall characteristics. Understanding this relationship is crucial for pilots to maintain awareness of their aircraft’s performance and safety margins during maneuvers.