Angle of Attack (AoA) in Aviation: The Key to Lift and Stability
Introduction The Angle of Attack (AoA) is a crucial aerodynamic concept in aviation that significantly impacts an aircraft's performance, stability, and safety. It refers to the angle between the chord line of an airfoil (such as a wing) and the oncoming airflow. Managing AoA properly is essential for maintaining lift and avoiding dangerous conditions like stalls. Illustration of Angle of Attack (AOA) showing the angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the oncoming airflow. Understanding Angle of Attack (AoA) AoA is one of the most important parameters that affect lift generation. When an aircraft moves through the air, the wings create lift by deflecting airflow. The higher the AoA, the more lift is generated—up to a certain limit. 🔹 Key Factors Influencing AoA: Aircraft speed Wing shape and design Air density and weather conditions Control surface movements AoA and Lift Generation As AoA increases, lift also increases—until reaching the critical angle of ...