What can increase the stall speed of an aircraft?

Stall speed is the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight. When an aircraft is in a banked turn, the load factor increases due to the centrifugal force acting on the aircraft. This increased load factor requires the wings to generate more lift to counteract the additional weight from the increased gravitational force that results from the banking maneuver. Consequently, the aircraft must fly at a higher speed to maintain this increased lift, which directly raises the stall speed.

Understanding this principle is crucial for pilots, as it highlights the need to account for the effects of bank angles during flight. In contrast, reducing weight during flight or flying level at higher altitude does not inherently increase stall speed; instead, they generally reduce it, as the aircraft requires less lift to maintain altitude. Increasing airspeed does not increase stall speed; rather, it allows the aircraft to stay above the stall speed by providing sufficient lift.