Which factors affect the angle of attack?

The angle of attack is primarily influenced by the relationship between airspeed, weight, and load factor.

Airspeed is crucial because it affects the flow of air over the wings. As the airspeed increases or decreases, the angle at which the wing meets the airflow must adjust to maintain lift. If the aircraft slows down without changing its pitch, the angle of attack will increase until it reaches a point where lift could be compromised.

Weight directly influences the angle of attack needed to maintain level flight. Heavier aircraft require a greater angle of attack to produce the same amount of lift as a lighter aircraft. This is due to the need to balance the lift required to support the added mass.

Load factor, which refers to the total lift divided by the weight of the aircraft, impacts the angle of attack as well. During turns or maneuvers, the load factor can increase, necessitating a higher angle of attack to maintain altitude and control the aircraft effectively.

Other factors listed in the options would not primarily determine the angle of attack in the same way. For example, flap setting can indeed change the effective angle of attack, but it’s more a modification to flight dynamics rather than a direct factor like airspeed, weight, and load factor.