Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is a core knowledge area on the General Aeronautical Knowledge FAA written exam. This hub collects our 3 in-depth, ACS-aligned aerodynamics articles — each written in plain English and grounded in the official FAA handbooks. Work through them below, then drill the topic with practice questions.
The Four Forces of Flight
Lift, weight, thrust, and drag are the four forces acting on an airplane in flight. Understanding how they balance explains why an airplane climbs, descends, accelerates, or holds a steady speed.
Angle of Attack
Angle of attack is the angle between the wing’s chord line and the relative wind. It is the single most important factor in producing lift — and in causing a stall.
Stalls and Spins
A stall occurs when the wing exceeds its critical angle of attack and stops producing sufficient lift. A spin is an aggravated stall in which the airplane autorotates while descending.
More General Aeronautical Knowledge subjects
Articles are original summaries grounded in the public-domain FAA handbooks and cite their source. ACS-aligned study aids — not a substitute for the official handbooks or regulations.