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

The correct answer is turns, as initiating a turn in an aircraft increases the load factor due to the combination of the aircraft's weight and the horizontal force required to change direction. In straight-and-level flight, the load factor is essentially equal to the weight of the aircraft acting downward due to gravity. However, when an aircraft turns, it generates a horizontal component of lift that must counteract this added centrifugal force.

As the bank angle increases during a turn, the total lift produced by the wings must increase to maintain altitude, leading to a greater load factor. For instance, in a 30-degree bank, the load factor can increase to approximately 1.15 Gs, and in a 60-degree bank, it can rise to about 2 Gs. This increase in load factor is crucial for pilots to understand, as it affects aircraft performance, stall speed, and structural limits of the aircraft.

In contrast, climbing and descending do not inherently increase the load factor relative to straight-and-level flight; they primarily adjust the altitude of the aircraft without significantly impacting the horizontal forces acting on it. Stalling involves a loss of lift rather than an increase in load factor. Therefore, turns are the maneuver that most clearly increases the load factor when compared