How The Angle of Attack Affects Lift and Drag – Importance in Aircraft Performance and Safety

What is the angle of attack? (FAA‑H‑8083‑25)

The angle of attack is the angle between the wing chord line and the direction of the relative wind; it can be changed by the pilot.

The angle of attack (AOA) is the angle formed between the chord line of an airfoil and the relative wind. In other words, it is the angle at which the wing or airfoil is meeting the oncoming air. The AOA affects the lift and drag characteristics of the aircraft. At low angles of attack, the lift generated by the wing is low, and as the angle of attack increases, so does the lift until the wing reaches a maximum lift coefficient (known as the critical angle of attack), after which the lift decreases and the drag increases. The angle of attack is a critical element in stall and spin awareness and prevention.

More Answers:

Torque Reaction: Effects on Single Engine Airplanes on Ground and in Flight
Factors Affecting Lift and Drag in Aerodynamic Systems: Impact of Angle of Attack, Airfoil Shape, Air Density, Surface Area, Speed, Viscosity and Turbulence
Bernoulli’s Principle: The Science Behind Fluid Behavior and Lift Creation

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