Private Pilot Private Exam

The angle of attack at which an airplane wing stalls will...

1. Decrease with increasing speed.

2. Remain the same regardless of gross weight.

3. Increase as altitude rises.

4. Be affected by aircraft configuration.

The correct answer is: Remain the same regardless of gross weight.

The angle of attack at which an airplane wing stalls is primarily determined by the airfoil shape and design of the wing, which does not change with variations in gross weight. This means that, regardless of whether the aircraft is lightly loaded or heavily loaded, the critical angle of attack—the angle at which lift is no longer sufficient to counteract weight and the wing stalls—remains constant for that particular airfoil design. While factors like aircraft configuration and weight do affect takeoff and landing performance, they don't alter the inherent characteristics of the wing's design that define its stall angle. It's critical for pilots to understand that regardless of the aircraft's loading condition, as long as the configuration of the wing remains unchanged, the angle of attack at which the stall occurs will not differ. This knowledge is essential for safe flight operations and ensuring awareness of stall conditions under various flight scenarios.