What term describes the upward angle of an airplane's wings and tail plane from the horizontal?

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The term that describes the upward angle of an airplane's wings and tail plane from the horizontal is the dihedral angle. This angle is critical to an aircraft's stability and performance. A dihedral angle provides lateral stability; when the aircraft rolls, the wing with the lower angle generates more lift, naturally bringing the aircraft back to level flight. This is particularly important during turns and can help prevent excessive banking.

Dihedral angles are typically designed into the wings of airplanes to enhance their handling characteristics and overall safety. A greater dihedral angle often leads to increased stability, while a smaller angle can result in more maneuverability.

The other terms, while relevant in aviation, refer to different concepts. A nacelle is the structure that houses the engine, sideslip describes the aircraft's lateral movement due to aerodynamic forces, and an airfoil refers to the shape of the wing itself designed to produce lift. Each of these terms plays an important role in aircraft design and aerodynamics but does not relate specifically to the angle of the wings and tail plane.

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