What is the angle of attack?

The angle of attack is defined as the angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind. This angle is crucial in understanding the aerodynamic performance of an aircraft. As the angle of attack increases, the lift generated by the wing also increases up to a certain limit known as the critical angle of attack. Beyond this critical angle, the wing may experience a stall, resulting in a loss of lift.

Understanding angle of attack is essential for pilots, as it directly impacts the aircraft's performance during various phases of flight, such as takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing. A proper grasp of this concept helps in managing the aircraft's handling characteristics and maintaining safe flight operations.