What effect does adding positive dihedral angle have on an aircraft?

Adding a positive dihedral angle to an aircraft significantly enhances its lateral stability. The dihedral angle refers to the upward angle of the wings relative to the horizontal plane. When the aircraft experiences any lateral disturbance, such as wind gusts or a tendency to roll, the wings' positive dihedral design contributes to a natural correcting motion.

When one wing is raised (due to an increase in roll), the angle of attack of that wing decreases, causing a reduction in lift on that wing. At the same time, the opposite wing (which starts to have an increased angle of attack due to the roll) experiences an increase in lift. This difference in lift creates a moment that tends to restore the aircraft to level flight, enhancing its natural stability. Consequently, aircraft with positive dihedral angles are more resistant to rolling and will tend to right themselves more effectively after disturbances, improving overall lateral stability.

The other options, while related to aircraft performance, do not directly address the effect of positive dihedral. For example, drag efficiency and lift during ascent depend on various factors, including wing design and shape, rather than solely on the dihedral angle. Wing loading pertains to the distribution of weight across the wing area and is also not directly influenced by the dihedral angle