What does maintaining V alpha protection ensure?

Maintaining V alpha protection is critical for ensuring that the aircraft stays above the stall speed during specific phases of flight. V alpha is the speed at which an aircraft can remain in controlled flight without stalling. This protection is particularly relevant during slow flight conditions, such as during takeoff and landing, where the margin between controlled flight and stall can become very narrow.

By maintaining V alpha protection, the aircraft's flight control laws automatically adjust to prevent the aircraft from entering a stall, thereby maximizing the safety margin for pilots. This feature is vital in preserving the aircraft's ability to respond adequately and maintain control, even in scenarios where slow speeds are encountered, thus enhancing the overall safety of flight operations.

The other options relate to aircraft performance and efficiency, but they do not directly address the primary function of V alpha protection, which is focused specifically on stall prevention.