FAA Airline Transport Pilot (ATM)Transport Aerodynamics and High-Altitude OperationsEasy
A transport-category airplane has a high wing loading compared to a lighter airplane of similar size. In moderate turbulence, how does this high wing loading primarily affect the ride quality and gust response?
- AIt reduces the airplane's sensitivity to gusts, producing a smoother ride
- BIt decreases stall speed, which indirectly smooths the ride
- CIt increases the airplane's sensitivity to gusts, producing sharper accelerations
- DIt has no effect on gust response, only on stall speed
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. It reduces the airplane's sensitivity to gusts, producing a smoother ride
Wing loading (weight/wing area) determines how much a given gust changes the angle of attack and lift. A heavily loaded wing requires a proportionally larger gust to produce the same load factor change, so high wing loading gives a smoother ride in turbulence, which is one reason transport jets ride better than light aircraft in the same turbulence.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Stall speed is affected by wing loading but that is not why the ride is smoother.
- C. Backwards; higher wing loading reduces gust sensitivity, not increases it.
- D. Wing loading does affect gust response through the lift/AOA relationship.
Wing Loading & Gust Response
Wing loading (W/S) determines how much a vertical gust changes angle of attack and load factor; higher wing loading gives a smoother ride in turbulence.
- Wing loading = Weight ÷ Wing Area
- Higher wing loading = smaller AOA change per gust = smoother ride
- Transport jets typically have higher wing loading than light aircraft
Memory trick: Heavy wing, calm swing