What effect does increased weight have on an aircraft's stall speed?

Increased weight directly influences an aircraft's stall speed by raising it. Stall speed is defined as the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain level flight without losing lift. When the weight of the aircraft is increased, more lift is required to counteract the greater gravitational force acting on it. As a result, the aircraft must achieve a higher angle of attack (AoA) to generate the additional lift needed to maintain controlled flight.

However, as the angle of attack increases, it approaches the critical angle at which stall occurs. This leads to a higher stall speed, meaning that the aircraft must fly faster to avoid stalling. Thus, heavier aircraft require a greater speed to maintain lift and prevent stalling, clearly establishing the relationship between weight and stall speed.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for pilots, as they must take weight into account during takeoff, landing, and other phases of flight to ensure safe operation.