How does an increase in weight affect stall speed?

An increase in weight affects stall speed by increasing it. This is due to the fact that stall speed is dependent on the aircraft's weight and lift coefficient. As weight increases, the aircraft requires a higher angle of attack to generate enough lift to maintain flight at slower speeds. Essentially, the stall speed is the minimum speed at which an aircraft can maintain controlled flight, and as the weight rises, the aerodynamic forces must adjust to overcome this additional load.

Mathematically, stall speed is derived from the square root of the ratio of weight to wing area and the lift coefficient. Therefore, when the weight increases while the wing area and lift characteristics remain constant, the resulting stall speed must also increase to provide the necessary lift. This is crucial information for pilots, as it emphasizes the importance of considering weight when planning for safe flight operations, particularly during takeoffs and landings.