This angle dictates how much lift a wing generates. As the pilot pitches the nose up, the angle increases, creating more lift but also more drag. If the angle exceeds a critical aerodynamic limit, the smooth airflow detaches from the upper wing surface, causing the aircraft to stall and rapidly lose altitude.
Heard on the job
Keep a close eye on your angle of attack through this turn, you're getting dangerously close to the stall warning.
Insider tip
Pilots and engineers frequently refer to this simply as alpha. While fighter jets can sustain extreme angles during combat maneuvers, commercial airliners keep it strictly within a few degrees to maintain efficient and safe flight.
Also heard as
- AoA
- alpha