Which factor does NOT affect the stall speed of an airplane?

The stall speed of an airplane is influenced by several key factors, and understanding these is crucial for pilots. The angle of attack, weight, and aircraft configuration are all integral in determining stall speed.

When we consider the angle of attack, it directly impacts stall speed because as the angle increases, the point at which the airflow separates from the wing occurs at a higher angle, leading to a stall. Consequently, a higher angle of attack will increase the stall speed.

Weight also plays a significant role in stall speed. Heavier aircraft have more inertia and require a greater angle of attack to maintain level flight, which translates to a higher stall speed. Therefore, as the weight of an aircraft increases, so does its stall speed.

Configuration is another important factor. Altering flaps, such as deploying them for increased lift during takeoff or landing, can effectively lower the stall speed. The configuration of the aircraft changes the lift characteristics, which influences the stall speed.

Bank angle, however, does not directly affect the stall speed of an airplane. While banking the aircraft may influence the aircraft's lift vector and stall characteristics during a turn, it does not inherently change the stall speed itself in straight and level flight. The stall angle remains constant regardless of the bank angle