Which factors influence stall speed?

Stall speed is primarily influenced by weight, wing loading, and angle of attack.

Weight plays a significant role because as the weight of the aircraft increases, the amount of lift required to keep the aircraft in stable flight also increases. This means that a heavier aircraft must fly at a higher speed to generate sufficient lift to maintain flight, thus increasing the stall speed.

Wing loading, which is the ratio of the aircraft's weight to the wing area, directly affects stall speed. Higher wing loading results in a higher stall speed because a greater amount of lift must be created by the wings at a given angle of attack.

Angle of attack is crucial in determining when an aircraft will stall. As the angle of attack increases beyond a certain point (the critical angle), the airflow over the wing becomes disrupted, and lift decreases, leading to a stall. Therefore, to maintain a safe margin above stall speed, pilots need to manage the angle of attack carefully, especially during maneuvers or when approaching stall conditions.

The other factors mentioned, such as fuel type, engine performance, flight altitude, and temperature, do not influence stall speed directly but can affect aircraft performance in other ways. For example, environmental conditions like altitude and temperature can impact engine performance and lift