Lift & Stalls

The lift equation and angle of attack

An interactive lesson with 6 steps, about 5 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• Lift $L = \tfrac12\rho v^2 C_L A$, with $C_L$ set by the angle of attack.
• Above about 15°, the airflow separates and the wing stalls.
• Thin air means faster take-offs and longer runways.

Steps

1. The lift equation
2. Tilting the wing
3. Take-off speed
4. Holding up a light aircraft
5. Banking turns
6. Hot and high