At which part of a swept wing does stall typically occur first?

Stall on a swept wing typically occurs first at the wing tip due to the aerodynamic characteristics associated with wing design. As air flows over a swept wing, the angle of attack and airflow differ across its span. The tip experiences a higher effective angle of attack because it effectively has a higher angle due to the swept design, making it more prone to stalling conditions first compared to the root or midsection of the wing.

In addition, the airflow at the wing tip is influenced by the vortex that forms due to the difference in pressure between the top and bottom surfaces, which can exacerbate the stall conditions. This behavior is crucial for pilots to understand, as it affects the aircraft's handling and responses during maneuvers, particularly at higher angles of attack.

The root and midsection of the wing generally stall at higher angles of attack compared to the tip, which is why they do not precede the stall in typical conditions. The leading edge refers to the front of the wing but does not specify which section of the wing is referenced, making it less relevant in pinpointing where the stall first occurs. Understanding the behavior of airflow and stalling characteristics across a swept wing helps in managing aircraft performance effectively.