10 / 20

What is the name given to the angle between the chord line of the wing root and the longitudinal axis?

  • A

    The angle of incidence

  • B

    The angle of attack

  • C

    The anhedral angle

  • D

    The dihedral angle

Refer to figures.
The chord line is the line drawn from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the aerofoil section. 

The angle between the chord line and the relative airflow is known as the angle of attack. This is a very important quantity, as when the angle of attack becomes too high - the wing will stall. There is also a proportional relationship between angle of attack (AoA) and coefficient of lift (CL). So, by increasing the AoA, we can increase the CL.

The angle between the chord line at the wing root and the longitudinal axis is known as the angle of incidence. This angle is a design parameter, and is fixed. It is the angle at which the wing is bolted to the fuselage. It is often positive, so that there may be a positive angle of attack even when pitch is zero.


The anhedral angle → INCORRECT

  • Anhedral is the angle that the wings make with the lateral axis, when viewed from the front. Anhedral exists when the wings are angled downwards.

The angle of attack → INCORRECT

  • this is the angle between the wing chord and relative airflow, and varies in flight.

The dihedral angle → INCORRECT

  • The dihedral angle is the angle the wings make with the lateral axis when viewed from the front. The wings are typically angled slightly upwards to provide lateral stability. When they are angled downwards, this is referred to as anhedral.

The angle of incidence → CORRECT

Your Notes (not visible to others)



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