FAA Ground School Practice Test

What aspect of flight does the term "angle of attack" describe?

1. The pitch angle relative to the oncoming air

2. The angle between the aircraft and the ground

3. The roll angle of the aircraft

4. The yaw angle during a turn

The correct answer is: The pitch angle relative to the oncoming air

The term "angle of attack" specifically refers to the angle between the aircraft's wings and the oncoming airflow, which is critical for understanding how lift is generated. When an aircraft is flying, the wings need to meet the air at an optimal angle to produce sufficient lift. The angle of attack is measured from the chord line of the wing (a straight line drawn between the wing's leading and trailing edges) to the relative wind (the oncoming air). If the angle of attack is too low, insufficient lift is produced; if it’s too high, the risk of stall increases. This definition underscores the importance of monitoring the angle of attack during flight operations, as it directly impacts performance and safety. Other options address different aspects of aircraft orientation, but they do not accurately describe what angle of attack entails. For instance, the pitch angle relative to the ground relates to how the nose of the aircraft is oriented with respect to the horizon, while roll and yaw angles pertain to rotation about different axes.