When an extra load is added to an aircraft, what is the likely effect on stall speed?

When an extra load is added to an aircraft, the stall speed increases. This is due to the fact that stall speed is influenced by the aircraft's weight; as the weight of the aircraft increases, the aircraft requires a higher angle of attack to generate the necessary lift for level flight.

Stall speed is defined as the minimum airspeed at which an aircraft can maintain level flight. Adding weight to the aircraft increases the amount of lift needed to counterbalance that weight. Since lift is generated by the aircraft’s wings at a specific airspeed and angle of attack, an increase in weight necessitates a higher speed to achieve the same level of lift. As a consequence, the stall speed—the point at which the wings can no longer produce enough lift to keep the aircraft flying—also rises.

This relationship highlights the importance of understanding how weight affects aircraft performance, particularly during critical phases of flight such as takeoff and landing. Hence, with additional load, the stall speed is effectively increased, making it vital for pilots to manage weight and balance carefully.