In a stall, the wing doesn't totally stop producing lift. It can't generate enough lift to sustain level flight.

In a stall, the wing doesn't totally stop producing lift. It can't generate enough lift to sustain level flight.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. It stops completely
• D. It increases lift

Answer: (A)

A stall occurs when the wing’s angle of attack has increased to the point that the airflow can no longer stay attached to the wing surface. When the flow separates, the lift coefficient drops dramatically and drag rises, so the wing loses a large portion of the lift it was producing. The lift isn’t zero—there is still some lift from the wing even in a stalled state—but it’s far less than what’s needed to balance the aircraft’s weight for level flight. That’s why the airplane will descend unless you reduce the angle of attack and/or speed to reattach the flow and restore sufficient lift.

A stall occurs when the wing’s angle of attack has increased to the point that the airflow can no longer stay attached to the wing surface. When the flow separates, the lift coefficient drops dramatically and drag rises, so the wing loses a large portion of the lift it was producing. The lift isn’t zero—there is still some lift from the wing even in a stalled state—but it’s far less than what’s needed to balance the aircraft’s weight for level flight. That’s why the airplane will descend unless you reduce the angle of attack and/or speed to reattach the flow and restore sufficient lift.