What are airfoil characteristics that enhance lift?

The characteristics that enhance lift in an airfoil include camber, angle of attack, and surface area.

Camber refers to the curvature of the airfoil; a higher camber usually results in a greater difference between the air pressure on the top and bottom surfaces, which contributes to increased lift. The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line of the airfoil and the oncoming airflow. As the angle of attack increases, lift generally increases up to a certain point known as the critical angle of attack. Surface area is also crucial; a larger wing surface area can generate more lift because more air is being deflected downwards, creating a greater upward reaction based on Bernoulli's principle and Newton's third law of motion.

The other options pertain to aspects that do not fundamentally influence the lift characteristics of an airfoil directly. Engine size and weight, wing material and color, and propeller type and size might affect overall aircraft performance or efficiency but do not play a direct role in the lift generated by the airfoil itself.