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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-stall-same-aoa

For a given airplane configuration, a stall occurs after exceeding what?

The critical angle of attack.

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  1. The same airspeed
  2. The same altitude
  3. The critical angle of attack ✔

Why: For a given configuration, an airplane stalls when it exceeds its critical angle of attack. It does not always stall at one fixed airspeed.

Huh, didn't know that: A stall can occur at any pitch attitude or airspeed.

The dad joke
Why did the wing stall? It just couldn't handle the angle.
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References

Answer: The critical angle of attack. For a given configuration, an airplane stalls when it exceeds its critical angle of attack. It does not always stall at one fixed airspeed.

  1. FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C) www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/faa-h-8083-25c.pdf
    a given aircraft always stalls at the same AOA regardless of airspeed, weight, load factor, or density altitude.
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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