What is the term for the point at which an aircraft will stall?

The point at which an aircraft will stall is referred to as the critical angle of attack. This is a vital concept in aerodynamics, as it defines the maximum angle between the wing's chord line and the oncoming airflow that allows the wing to generate enough lift. When the angle of attack exceeds this critical threshold, airflow can no longer adhere to the upper surface of the wing, leading to a significant loss of lift and culminating in a stall.

Understanding the critical angle of attack is crucial for pilots because stalls can occur at various airspeeds and configurations of the aircraft. It is primarily influenced by the wing’s design and the aircraft's weight rather than the airspeed itself. Therefore, regardless of how fast the aircraft is flying, if the angle of attack exceeds the critical angle, a stall can occur.

Other terms mentioned, such as maximum speed, minimum airspeed, and lift-off angle, refer to different aspects of flight dynamics and performance, but they do not define the stalling condition. Maximum speed indicates the highest velocity an aircraft can achieve, minimum airspeed is the lowest speed at which the aircraft can maintain controlled flight, and lift-off angle pertains to the angle at which the aircraft leaves the ground during takeoff. None of these are directly