Which flight maneuver increases stall speed?

The correct choice is the banked turn. When an aircraft is in a banked turn, the load factor increases due to the additional lift required to maintain altitude while turning. This increase in load factor effectively raises the stall speed of the aircraft. Stall speed is the minimum airspeed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight, and it increases with higher load factors.

In a banked turn, the wings must generate more lift to counteract the increased weight imposed by the bank angle, which is the result of the centrifugal force acting on the aircraft. As the load factor increases, the stall speed also increases proportionally. Therefore, the pilot must be aware of this change in stall speed, particularly in situations where the aircraft is operating at or near its aerodynamic limits.

Other maneuvers like lowering the nose, level flight, or climbing ascent do not directly impact the stall speed in the same way that a banked turn does. Lowering the nose typically reduces the angle of attack and increases airspeed, which generally moves the aircraft further from stalling. Level flight maintains a constant stall speed, while climbing can either maintain or slightly increase stall speed depending on the excess power available. However, it is the banked turn that causes a distinct and noticeable