When an aircraft starts climbing after takeoff, what happens to its angle of attack?

When an aircraft begins its climb after takeoff, the angle of attack increases. This increase occurs because the nose of the aircraft is raised to gain altitude, which causes the angle formed between the chord line of the wing and the relative wind to grow.

During this phase, the pilot typically pulls back on the control yoke or stick to elevate the aircraft's nose for climbing. As the altitude increases and the aircraft transitions from takeoff to climb, maintaining a higher angle of attack is often necessary to produce sufficient lift to overcome the weight of the aircraft, which is key to achieving the desired climb rate.

A proper understanding of angle of attack is essential because it directly influences lift generation. However, it is important for the pilot to manage the angle of attack to avoid entering a stall, which can occur if the angle of attack becomes excessive. This knowledge is vital for maintaining safe and efficient climbing performance immediately after takeoff.