FAA Ground School Practice Test

The angle of attack is defined as the angle between what two elements?

1. The wing and fuselage

2. The wing chord line and the relative wind

3. The aileron and elevator

4. The vertical stabilizer and rudder

The correct answer is: The wing chord line and the relative wind

The angle of attack is defined as the angle between the wing's chord line and the direction of the relative wind. This concept is fundamental in aerodynamics, as the angle of attack determines how much lift a wing generates. When the wing's chord line is tilted upward relative to the oncoming air (relative wind), it increases the lift produced until reaching a critical angle of attack, beyond which airflow can separate and lead to stall. Understanding this relationship is essential for pilots, as it directly impacts flight control and performance. Regarding the other options, they do not accurately describe the angle of attack. The wing and fuselage do not define an angle relevant to lift production, while the aileron and elevator deal with roll and pitch control respectively, not the wing's aerodynamic performance. The vertical stabilizer and rudder are involved in yaw control and do not relate to lift generation in the same context.