Skip to main content
Glossary/Angle of Attack (AOA)
Definition

Angle of Attack (AOA)

The angle between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind. Angle of attack is the single most important factor in determining whether a wing produces enough lift to fly. Every wing has a critical angle of attack (typically around 15-20 degrees) beyond which airflow separates from the upper surface and the wing stalls, regardless of airspeed or pitch attitude.

AerodynamicsPre-SoloWritten TestCheckride

Related Terms

Want to learn more?

Ask our AI-powered Knowledge Hub for a deeper explanation, practice questions, or checkride prep tips on this topic.

Ask the Knowledge Hub