What is the approximate maximum angle of attack before stall?

• A. 10 degrees
• B. 5 degrees
• C. 25 degrees
• D. 17 degrees

Answer: (D)

Stall happens when the wing’s angle of attack reaches its critical value, causing the airflow to separate from the wing and lift to stop increasing. The exact critical angle depends on the wing’s shape and configuration, but for many general aviation wings in a clean setup, this value sits in the mid-teens. That makes about 17 degrees a practical, common estimate for the maximum angle of attack before stall.

Angles around 5 or 10 degrees would be well below the stall threshold, so they’re not the true limit. An angle as high as 25 degrees is typically well past the point where the flow separates and lift collapses. Remember, the precise number can shift with flap position, weight, and other factors, but 17 degrees is a commonly used approximate value.