What is indicated by an increase in angle of attack?

An increase in angle of attack refers to the angle between the chord line of the wing and the oncoming airflow. As the angle of attack increases, the airflow over the wings changes, affecting lift generation. When the angle of attack approaches the critical angle, the flow over the wing can begin to separate, leading to a stall condition. This is a crucial point for pilots to understand because the stall occurs when the wing can no longer generate sufficient lift to support the aircraft, which can lead to a loss of control if not managed correctly.

While it is true that an increased angle of attack can generate more lift up to a certain point, once it exceeds the critical angle, the wing's ability to produce lift deteriorates, hence the focus on the stall potential. Understanding this relationship is vital to safe flight operations, particularly in maneuvers that involve higher angles of attack.