When the critical angle of attack is exceeded, what happens?

When the critical angle of attack is exceeded, lift begins to decrease regardless of airspeed. The critical angle of attack is the point at which the airflow separates from the wing's upper surface, leading to a stall. At this point, the wing can no longer generate sufficient lift to support the weight of the aircraft, resulting in a stall condition.

Understanding this concept is crucial for pilots because it indicates that simply maintaining or increasing airspeed does not prevent a stall once the critical angle of attack is surpassed. This is true even in various attitudes of the aircraft; lift will decrease as the angle of attack continues to exceed the critical limit. The implications of this are significant in both training and practical flying, as educators emphasize that all pilots must manage their angles of attack carefully to maintain controlled flight.