Definition
A condition in which the load factor on the aircraft and its occupants is greater than the normal force of gravity at rest (1 G), pressing the pilot down into the seat. Positive G occurs during maneuvers such as pull-ups, level turns, and recovery from descents, where the lift produced by the wings exceeds the weight of the aircraft.
Plain English
Positive G is the heavy feeling that pushes you down into your seat during certain maneuvers, like pulling out of a dive or banking into a steep turn. The faster or harder you maneuver, the heavier you feel.
Context Anchor
Seen in instrument flying and spatial disorientation discussions, especially when describing the body sensations that can occur during climbing turns or pull-up maneuvers.
Derivation
‘G’ is shorthand for the acceleration due to gravity. ‘Positive’ here means the force is acting in the same direction gravity normally pulls — downward through the pilot’s seat — so the pilot feels heavier than normal.
Why Pilots Care
Excessive positive G reduces blood flow to the brain, leading to gray-out or blackout, and contributes to spatial disorientation illusions during turns.
Analogy
It is like the moment an elevator starts moving upward: for a second, your body feels heavier and your feet press harder on the floor.
Grounding Statement
Think of the firm push down into your seat at the bottom of a roller coaster loop — that pressing-down sensation is positive G.
Intuition Check
Positive does not mean safe, good, or desirable here. It means the direction of the acceleration is the one that presses you down into the seat.
Example Sentence 1
As the pilot rolled into a steep turn, the increase in positive G pushed everyone firmly into their seats.
Example Sentence 2
The student pilot recognized the onset of positive G and eased back on the yoke to reduce the load.