Skip to content
Aviator IQ
Start Free
GlossaryAircraft Systems
Aircraft Systems

Angle of Attack

Also: AOA, AoA

The angle between the wing's chord line and the oncoming relative wind. Lift rises with angle of attack until the critical angle, where the wing stalls regardless of airspeed.

“The angle of attack is the angle at which relative wind meets an airfoil.”
FAA-H-8083-25C · Glossary, Angle of attack

Tested on

Private PilotCommercialATPCFI Airplane

Related terms

Load FactorManeuvering Speed (VA)Stall Speed in Landing Configuration (VSO)

← All glossary terms