Zone Theory Explanation of Stall


Sequence of Events & Conditions Leading to Stall: 1. As AoA increases the lifter becomes the deflector. 2. The high pressure subduction zone (red) shifts from front to the bottom of wing. 3. Air from bottom of wing bleeds around the trailing edge to the top of wing. 4. The air leakage from bottom to top shrinks the induction zone (blue) reducing Lift. 5. At critical AoA, sufficent air leaks to the top reducing vacuum or lift and stall occours.

CAUTION: Angle of Attack is conducive to conditions which initiate stall! Increasing angle of attack eventually results in a complete stall. As everything else, the zone theory explanation of stall is simple and straight forward. Zone theory explains stall in simplest of terms i.e. of pressure leakage. Needlessly complicated reasoning is employed by the wind […]