What is the positive maximum maneuvering load factor at Va?

What is the positive maximum maneuvering load factor at Va?

• A. +3.0
• B. +4.0
• C. +2.0
• D. +4.4

Answer: (D)

Va is the maneuvering speed at which full, abrupt control input will push the airframe to its limit load factor without exceeding it. In other words, at this speed the maximum positive load factor the airplane can safely experience during a maneuver is reached when you apply full control, and going faster could push beyond that limit. For the Diamond DA20-C1, the positive limit load factor the structure is designed to withstand is about +4.4 g, so the positive maximum maneuvering load factor at Va is +4.4 g. The other values are simply lower and do not represent the aircraft’s capability at Va.

Va is the maneuvering speed at which full, abrupt control input will push the airframe to its limit load factor without exceeding it. In other words, at this speed the maximum positive load factor the airplane can safely experience during a maneuver is reached when you apply full control, and going faster could push beyond that limit. For the Diamond DA20-C1, the positive limit load factor the structure is designed to withstand is about +4.4 g, so the positive maximum maneuvering load factor at Va is +4.4 g. The other values are simply lower and do not represent the aircraft’s capability at Va.