Definition
A load factor of 2, meaning the airplane's structure and occupants are experiencing forces equal to twice the force of gravity. In a 2G condition, the wings must produce lift equal to twice the aircraft's weight, and everything inside the airplane -- including the pilot -- effectively weighs twice as much as normal.
Plain English
Two times the normal pull of gravity. In a 2G turn or pull-up, you and the airplane feel twice as heavy as you do sitting still on the ground.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of angle of attack, maneuvering, accelerated stalls, and steep turns.
Derivation
The 'G' comes from gravity. One G is the normal downward pull you feel standing on the ground. '2G' simply means two times that force. Pilots and engineers use G as a shorthand unit because it makes load factor easy to picture in human terms.
Why Pilots Care
Exceeding the airplane's published G limits during turns or pull-ups can cause structural damage or loss of control.
Grounding Statement
In a level 60-degree banked turn, the airplane is pulling 2G -- the pilot feels twice their normal body weight pressing into the seat.
Intuition Check
2G does not mean twice as fast or twice as high. It means twice the normal load caused by gravity-like force on the airplane and the people inside it.
Example Sentence 1
Rolling into a 60-degree bank to maintain altitude puts the airplane at 2G.
Example Sentence 2
The pilot monitored the G-meter and eased off the back pressure once it reached 2G during the pull-up.