Refer to figure.

Angle of Attack and Lift: The angle of attack (AoA) is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the oncoming airflow. As the AoA increases, the lift generated by the wing generally increases, up to a certain point. This is because the increased AoA causes a greater pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing, which in turn increases lift.

Airflow Separation and Stall: However, if the AoA is increased too far, the airflow over the wing can no longer smoothly adhere to the surface, leading to a phenomenon known as airflow separation. When this happens, the smooth laminar flow turns into turbulent flow, causing a dramatic reduction in lift and a significant increase in drag. This condition is known as a stall.

Critical Angle of Attack: The specific AoA at which airflow separation occurs and the wing stalls is called the critical angle of attack. Beyond this angle, the wing cannot produce enough lift to support the aircraft, leading to a loss of altitude unless corrective action is taken.

In summary, while increasing the AoA can initially increase lift, exceeding the critical angle of attack leads to airflow separation, loss of lift, and a stall condition. Understanding and managing AoA is crucial for safe and efficient flight operations.