About gust load factor on an aeroplane, which statement is correct?

• A. Only statement 1 is correct
• B. Both statements are correct
• C. Only statement 2 is correct
• D. Neither statement is correct

Answer: (B)

Gust load factor is the extra load on the aircraft caused by a vertical gust, added to the regular flight load. The lift change from a gust is driven by dynamic pressure, which increases with speed, so the faster you fly, the larger the gust-induced lift increment can be for the same gust. This means the gust load factor tends to rise with airspeed, all else equal. At the same time, how large that gust load factor becomes also depends on the gust’s severity and how the aircraft responds over time—the wing and fuselage have a dynamic response, so a short gust may not fully develop the maximum lift, while a longer gust or one that better excites the wing’s natural motion can push the load higher. Heavier aircraft distribute the gust over more weight, reducing the proportional load factor change. Put together, the statements that describe these two aspects—speed amplifies gust effects and the peak gust load factor depends on gust characteristics and the aircraft’s dynamic response—are both correct, which is why the answer that both statements are true fits the topic.