Which factor does NOT affect the lift generated by an airfoil?

The lift generated by an airfoil is influenced by several factors including the angle of attack, air density, and speed of the aircraft. The angle of attack determines how the airfoil interacts with oncoming airflow, influencing lift. The density of the air affects how much air is available to create lift; as density increases, the lift also increases. Similarly, the speed of the aircraft significantly impacts lift, as faster airflow over the wings leads to greater lift production.

In contrast, the weight of the aircraft itself does not directly affect the amount of lift generated by the airfoil. While weight is a crucial factor in flight dynamics—essentially determining how much lift must be generated for the aircraft to remain airborne—it does not influence the lift characteristics of the airfoil under various conditions. Lift must equal weight for level flight, but the generation of lift itself is a function of the aforementioned factors, not the weight of the aircraft. This distinction is important in understanding aerodynamics, as it clarifies that lift is a function of aerodynamic design and conditions rather than the consequence of the aircraft's mass.