What occurs when an aircraft exceeds the critical angle of attack?

When an aircraft exceeds the critical angle of attack, a stall occurs. This phenomenon takes place because the airflow over the wings begins to separate, leading to a significant reduction in lift. The critical angle of attack is the maximum angle at which the wings can generate lift before the airflow starts to lose its smooth flow over the airfoil.

As the angle of attack increases beyond this critical point, the lift generated by the wings decreases dramatically, resulting in a stall condition. This can cause the aircraft to lose altitude rapidly and can lead to a loss of control if not managed correctly. Understanding stalls is crucial for pilots, as it is essential to recognize the signs and prevent flying into such conditions.

In scenarios where the angle of attack remains within safe limits, the aircraft continues to experience enhanced lift. A controlled descent may occur when the aircraft is operating normally, and decreased speed can result from various maneuvers, but these do not directly relate to exceeding the critical angle of attack as a stall does. The stall condition is specifically associated with the critical angle of attack and the resultant aerodynamic behavior of the aircraft's wings.