Angle of Attack
The angle at which a wing strikes the air stream.
- The ability to create lift is dependent on the airflow remaining smooth around the airfoil. At zero degrees angle of attack there is just a small turbulent wake.
- As the angle of attack is increased the lift increase and the point at which the airflow separates from the upper surface of the wing moves slightly forward.
- Just before the wing stalls maximum lift is generated and the separation has moved further forward.
- At very high angles of attack the separated flow region expands and the lift is reduced and drag increases. There will be a large turbulent wake.
See also: Aerofoil.
Subjects: Aerodynamics