What is the point of maximum lift called?

• A. VNE
• B. Stall speed
• C. Drag coefficient
• D. CL max

Answer: (D)

The point of maximum lift is defined by the maximum lift coefficient, CL max. Lift can be expressed as L = q S CL, where q is dynamic pressure and S is wing area. As angle of attack increases, CL rises until it reaches its peak value, CL max. At this stage the wing is at the limit before flow separation occurs; beyond it, lift falls and a stall happens. The other terms aren’t describing this limit of lift: VNE is a never-exceed speed, stall speed is the minimum speed to avoid stalling but isn’t the lift limit itself, and the drag coefficient measures drag, not the maximum lift. So CL max is the correct description of the point of maximum lift.