What is the relationship between angle of attack and lift just before stall occurs?

The relationship between angle of attack and lift just before stall is characterized by the fact that as the angle of attack increases, lift is enhanced up to a critical point. This critical point is often referred to as the stall angle; beyond this angle, the airflow over the wing begins to separate, leading to a loss of lift.

During normal flight conditions, increasing the angle of attack can lead to a corresponding increase in lift due to the greater curvature of the airflow over the wing surface. Therefore, the description that it enhances lift until a specific limit accurately reflects this behavior. Understanding this relationship is crucial for pilots, as approaching or exceeding the critical angle of attack can result in a stall, where the wing is no longer able to produce adequate lift, leading to a potentially hazardous flight situation.

Maintaining awareness of this relationship allows pilots to operate safely within the aircraft's performance envelope, emphasizing the importance of managing angle of attack effectively during flight maneuvers.