Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting climb performance?

Climb performance in an aircraft is influenced by several factors, and choosing the option that does not affect climb performance requires understanding how each factor plays a role.

Weight significantly impacts climb performance because a heavier aircraft requires more lift to become airborne and maintain altitude, which can reduce the rate of climb. Therefore, as the weight of the aircraft increases, the climb performance typically decreases.

Altitude plays a critical role as well—the higher the aircraft is, the thinner the air becomes, which reduces engine performance and lift. This diminished air density means that an aircraft requires a longer distance to climb and may also climb at a slower rate due to reduced power and lift.

Temperature affects climb performance due to the fact that warmer air is less dense than cooler air. This decrease in air density at higher temperatures results in reduced lift and engine efficiency, thus negatively affecting the climb rate.

In contrast, the speed of the aircraft isn't a direct determinant of climb performance. While speed can influence the lift generated during various phases of flight, specifically during a climb, it does not fundamentally change the aircraft's ability to climb as the other factors do. In fact, there is an optimal speed for climbing known as best rate of climb speed, but speed itself, outside of that context, does not