Design Standards
Excessive load factors must be avoided because of the possibility of exceeding the structural strength of the aircraft.
Aviation authorities specify the load factor limits within which different classes of aircraft are required to operate without damage. For example, the US Federal Aviation Regulations prescribe the following limits (for the most restrictive case):
- For commercial transport airplanes, from -1 to +2.5 (or up to +3.8 depending on design takeoff weight)
- For light airplanes, from -1.5 to +3.8
- For aerobatic airplanes, from -3 to +6
- For helicopters, from -1 to +3.5
However, many aircraft types, in particular aerobatic airplanes, are designed so that they can tolerate load factors much higher than the minimum required. For example, the Sukhoi Su-26 family have load factors limits of -10 to +12.
The maximum load factors, both positive and negative, applicable to an aircraft are usually specified in the pilot's operating handbook.
Read more about this topic: Load Factor (aeronautics)
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