What does angle of attack refer to?

The angle of attack refers to the tilt or inclination of an aircraft's wing relative to the oncoming airflow. This measurement is crucial in aerodynamics, as it directly influences the lift that a wing can generate.

When the angle of attack increases, the wing's lift potential generally increases up to a certain point, known as the critical angle of attack. Beyond this point, airflow begins to separate from the wing's surface, leading to a stall condition where lift dramatically decreases. Understanding the angle of attack helps pilots manage aircraft performance during different flight maneuvers, especially during takeoff and landing phases.

While the other choices refer to different concepts within aviation, they do not capture the specific aerodynamic significance of the angle of attack. The position of a ship at sea pertains to maritime navigation, drag is a resistance force against the aircraft's motion, and lift, while related to angle of attack, represents the aerodynamic force generated by the wings rather than the angle itself.