10 / 20

The critical angle of attack…

  • A

    Increases with a front centre of gravity.

  • B

    Decreases with a rear centre of gravity.

  • C

    Is changed by different aircraft weights.

  • D

    Is not changed by different aircraft weights.

There is a certain angle of attack (AoA), at which the flow cannot follow the shape of the profile, the flow separates from the surface and vortices are created. This results in a smaller suction, smaller lift and high drag. If AoA is increased further beyond this AoA, lift will reduce. This angle of attack is called critical angle of attack. The critical angle of attack will remain the same regardless of gross weight. A given wing will always stall at the same AoA, regardless of Weight, Load factor, Density Altitude and airspeed. However, increased weight, a higher load factor and increased density altitude do increase the airspeed at which the aircraft reaches its critical AoA.

Your Notes (not visible to others)



This question has appeared on the real examination, you can find the related countries below.

  • Austro Control