FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)Aerodynamics and PerformanceMedium
Two airplanes of equal gross weight encounter an identical vertical gust. Airplane A has a wing area of 150 square feet (wing loading 20 lb/ft²); Airplane B has a wing area of 100 square feet (wing loading 30 lb/ft²). Which airplane will experience a smoother ride (smaller load factor increase) from the gust?
- AAirplane B, because its higher wing loading makes it less responsive to a given gust
- BBoth airplanes experience identical load factor increases regardless of wing loading
- CAirplane A, because its larger wing generates proportionally more lift from the gust
- DAirplane A, because lower wing loading always reduces turbulence penetration speed
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Airplane B, because its higher wing loading makes it less responsive to a given gust
A gust produces a change in angle of attack and therefore lift proportional to wing area for a given gust velocity. An airplane with higher wing loading (less wing area per pound of weight) experiences a smaller percentage change in lift — and thus a smaller load factor spike — for the same gust, giving a smoother ride than a lower wing-loading airplane of equal weight.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wing loading directly affects gust response; the two airplanes are not equally affected.
- C. Backwards — the larger wing area (lower wing loading) produces a LARGER relative lift change and rougher ride.
- D. This confuses wing loading effects with turbulence penetration speed, a different published V-speed concept.
Wing Loading and Gust Response
Airplanes with higher wing loading (less wing area per pound of weight) experience smaller load factor changes from a given gust than lower wing-loading airplanes, resulting in a smoother ride.
- Gust lift change is proportional to wing area
- Higher wing loading = smaller AOA/lift change per gust
- Explains why heavily wing-loaded aircraft (e.g., jets) ride turbulence more smoothly than light, large-winged aircraft
Memory trick: Small wings, small bumps — high wing loading shrugs off gusts.