What can high angles of attack lead to during flight?

High angles of attack can lead to wing stall and decreased lift because as the angle of attack increases, airflow over the wing becomes disrupted. This disruption occurs when the air separates from the wing surface, causing the wing to lose its ability to generate lift effectively. The stall point, which is the critical angle of attack, varies with the wing design and other factors, but once this point is exceeded, the wing is no longer able to produce sufficient lift to maintain level flight.

During a stall, the airflow does not adhere to the wing surface, leading to a loss of lift and potential loss of control. This situation can be particularly dangerous as it may result in an aircraft entering a spin or losing altitude rapidly. Understanding this relationship between angle of attack and lift is crucial for pilots to maintain safe flight operations. It emphasizes the importance of managing angle of attack during various phases of flight to prevent stalls and ensure optimal performance.