Regarding gust load factor on an aircraft, which statement is correct when all other factors remain constant?

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

Answer: (D)

Gust load factor is the extra load caused by a gust, expressed as the instantaneous lift per unit weight during the gust. It happens because the wing is suddenly subjected to a changing vertical airspeed, so the wing must generate more lift to keep the aircraft on its intended trajectory. The peak gust load factor depends mainly on how strong the gust is (the gust’s vertical velocity or intensity) and how the aircraft responds to that change—its inertia, stiffness, damping, and control effectiveness.

With all other factors held constant, a stronger vertical gust or a faster encounter will tend to produce a larger increase in lift, pushing the load factor higher. The aircraft’s speed also matters: at higher true airspeeds, the dynamic pressure and the aerodynamic response to the gust are greater, which can raise the gust-induced load factor, though the exact effect depends on the fuselage–wing dynamics and how quickly the aircraft can respond to the gust.

I don’t have the exact text of the two statements you’re comparing. If you share those two statements, I’ll explain why the chosen option best reflects the gust load factor behavior under constant conditions.