The negative limit load factor for utility category aircraft must not be less than which of the following?

For utility category aircraft, the negative limit load factor is a critical parameter defined by aviation regulatory standards. This factor relates to the safety and structural integrity of the aircraft under various load conditions, particularly during maneuvers that could impose negative loads, such as turbulence or abrupt changes in flight attitude.

The minimum negative limit load factor for utility category aircraft is established as 1.76. This means that the aircraft should be able to withstand forces equivalent to 1.76 times the force of gravity acting in a downward direction without structural failure. This requirement ensures that the aircraft can safely endure conditions that involve negative loading scenarios which are common in aircraft operations.

Choosing values like 3.0, 2.2, or 4.4 for this parameter exceeds the required threshold for utility category aircraft. While those values may apply to different categories of aircraft or specific types of load tests, they are not appropriate for the utility category, which has its own set of defined operational limits. Therefore, setting the negative load factor at 1.76 provides a balance between safety and performance for the specific design and operational capabilities of utility category aircraft.