Which factor can influence the effectiveness of dihedral in stabilizing an aircraft?

The aspect ratio of the wings has a significant impact on the effectiveness of dihedral in stabilizing an aircraft. A higher aspect ratio, which is the ratio of the wingspan to the average wing width, generally allows for better lift distribution and improved aerodynamic performance. This can enhance the aircraft's lateral stability.

When wings have a greater aspect ratio, they are typically longer and slimmer, which can lead to reduced induced drag and more effective lifting over the span of the wing. This, in combination with dihedral, can improve the aircraft’s ability to recover from disturbances, such as rolling due to turbulence or other external factors. The dihedral angle itself works to provide a restoring moment when the aircraft experiences a roll, and a higher aspect ratio facilitates this stabilization by allowing the wings to work more efficiently in generating lift and countering any lateral movements.

Other factors such as wing loading and control surface authority do play a role in flight stability and control, but the aspect ratio directly influences how dihedral works in concert with the wing's performance. Higher aspect ratio wings produce a more pronounced stabilizing effect from dihedral, enhancing overall aircraft performance in terms of stability during flight.