What effect does an increase in weight have on stall speed?

An increase in weight raises stall speed due to the relationship between weight and lift requirements. Stall speed is the minimum speed at which an aircraft must fly to maintain level flight without losing altitude. As the aircraft's weight increases, the wings must generate more lift to support that added mass. Since lift is produced by the aircraft's speed, an increase in weight necessitates a corresponding increase in speed to achieve the same lift.

Mathematically, stall speed is influenced by the square root of the weight of the aircraft. This means that for every increase in weight, the stall speed increases as a function of the square root of that weight. Consequently, the aircraft will need to reach a higher speed to avoid stalling, thereby increasing the stall speed. This fundamental relationship is crucial for pilots to understand as it directly impacts flight safety and performance.

This ultimate understanding of stall speed is vital for safe operation, particularly in situations where weight may vary, such as when carrying extra fuel or passengers.