Which feature enhances stability during cruise flight in the Cessna 172?

The dihedral angle of the wings is a critical feature that enhances stability during cruise flight in the Cessna 172. This outward angle of the wings relative to the horizontal plane contributes to the aircraft's lateral stability. When the aircraft banks due to turbulence or a pilot's input, the wings with dihedral create differential lift. The wing that is lower generates more lift, causing the aircraft to naturally roll back to a level flight position. This characteristic is essential for maintaining control and reducing pilot workload, particularly during cruise flight, as it allows the aircraft to self-correct without requiring constant input from the pilot.

While other features, such as the shape of the tail, the size of the ailerons, and the length of the fuselage, play roles in the overall flight characteristics of the aircraft, it is the dihedral angle that specifically enhances lateral stability, making it easier to maintain level flight and recover from unintentional bank angles.