Hi Eagle,
If the loadfactor decreases with increasing pitch-angle (climb/dive) - I get that one: lower lift, more drag/thrust - how come that I, as a pilot, don't feel it? It seems that my body is still experiencing a 1-G situation during a steady climb, as far as I'm aware.
Empty Cruise is correct, but perhaps I can explain it in a slightly different way.
You are right that gravity continues to act on your body in the same way at all times in flight. However, the definition of load factor is Lift divided by Weight, and it is in the trickery of the definition that we end up with load factor being less than one in a steady climb.
In a steady climb, the aircraft is in equilibrium - total "up" forces exactly equal to total "down" forces. "Up" forces are partly thrust (say 10 units) and partly lift (say 90 units). Assume that "down" forces are all due to weight (100 units), and calculate your new load factor.
Weight does not change - just lift. So your body is quite correct in feeling the same weight as always.
Cheers,
O8