Question

For the aircraft, the angle between the relative velocity vector and the chord line is

• A. pitch angle
• B. angle of attack
• C. angle of incidence
• D. angle of inclination

Hint:

Angle of attack is key in aerodynamics: it directly affects lift, drag, and stall characteristics.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In aerospace engineering, the angle between the relative wind (or relative velocity vector) and the chord line of an aircraft's wing is referred to as the angle of attack. This concept is critical for understanding how lift is generated by the wing. Here's a brief explanation of the relevant angles:

• Pitch angle: This is the angle between the aircraft's longitudinal axis and the horizontal plane.
• Angle of attack: The angle between the chord line of an airfoil and the direction of the oncoming air (relative wind).
• Angle of incidence: The angle at which the wing is attached to the aircraft's fuselage.
• Angle of inclination: This term is often used interchangeably with others, but in this context, it is not the correct description of the angle between the relative velocity and the chord line.

Therefore, the correct answer is the angle of attack.