What is the critical angle of attack?

The critical angle of attack is defined as the angle at which airflow begins to separate from the wing's upper surface, leading to a significant loss of lift and the onset of a stall. At this angle, the wing can no longer maintain smooth airflow, which results in a dramatic decrease in aerodynamic efficiency. This point is crucial in aviation, as flying beyond this angle can result in the aircraft becoming unstalled and uncontrollable.

In contrast, maximum lift is achieved at a different angle, known as the angle of maximum lift coefficient, which occurs before reaching the critical angle. The angle of descent during a landing approach is unrelated to the critical angle of attack, as it pertains more to the flight path rather than the aerodynamic characteristics of the wing. Finally, thrust generation relates to the power produced by the aircraft's engines, and while it is important for overall performance, it does not pertain to the concept of angle of attack in the context of stall and lift.