An airplane stall refers to a critical aerodynamic condition in which the airflow over an aircraft's wing becomes disrupted to the extent that it can no longer generate sufficient lift to sustain level flight. Contrary to common belief, a stall does not refer to the aircraft's engines stopping or to a complete loss of control; instead, it specifically relates to the wing's aerodynamic performance.

Here's a brief explanation of how an airplane stall occurs:

Angle of Attack: The angle of attack is the angle between the chord line of the wing and the direction of the oncoming airflow. As the aircraft climbs, descends, or maneuvers, the angle of attack changes. When the angle of attack becomes too high, the airflow over the wing can no longer follow the curvature of the airfoil effectively.

Stagnation and Separation: As the angle of attack increases, the airflow over the wing reaches a critical point where it separates from the wing's upper surface. This separation disrupts the smooth flow of air, causing a decrease in lift generation. Additionally, the separation leads to the formation of turbulent airflow over the wing, further reducing lift and increasing drag.

Stall Condition: When the angle of attack exceeds the critical value for a given airspeed and configuration, the wing reaches a stall condition. At this point, the lift produced by the wing decreases sharply, and the aircraft experiences a sudden loss of altitude if corrective action is not taken promptly. The onset of the stall is typically indicated by a buffet or vibration felt by the pilot, caused by turbulent airflow over the control surfaces.

Recovery: To recover from a stall, the Pilot must decrease the angle of attack by lowering the aircraft's nose and applying power. Decreasing the angle of attack allows the airflow to reattach to the wing's surface, restoring lift production. Once the airflow is reestablished, the aircraft can regain control and return to normal flight.