Attitude and flight path
Compare the aircraft’s attitude with its flight path
Interactive flight aerodynamics
Angle of attack simulator
Interact with and visualize the relationship between attitude, flight path, airspeed and angle of attack with AoA LAB, an interactive flight aerodynamics tool.
Open AoA LAB GuideRelative wind
Visualize the relationship between the flight path and the airflow
Pitch and power
Changes in pitch and airspeed affect the flight path
What is AoA LAB?
AoA LAB is an interactive lab that shows the relationship between pitch, flight path, relative wind and angle of attack. You can start by controlling pitch, interacting with the HUD through up and down movements. There are two modes: in Dynamic, the flight path and airspeed change with pitch and power; in Manual, you set the flight path and test pitch combinations. The screen also has a panel showing IAS, vertical speed and other typical indications. The wing window shows the airflow animated in color, with a 3D view. The model uses an ideal fluid, and above 13° angle of attack, near the stall region, the “Model Limit” warning appears.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AoA LAB simulator?
It is an interactive tool that helps you visualize the relationship between the wing, the attitude, the relative wind and the aircraft’s flight path.
Is pitch the same as flight path?
An aircraft can have its nose above the horizon and still follow a descending flight path. Likewise, the flight path can change without an equal, immediate change in attitude. Reducing airspeed is an example of this. So, attitude is the aircraft’s orientation relative to the horizon. Flight path is the direction in which the aircraft actually moves through space.
What is angle of attack?
Angle of attack is the angle between the wing’s reference line and the relative wind. It is a fundamental concept for understanding lift.
AoA LAB turns this relationship into an interactive visualization.
Who is AoA LAB for?
The simulator can be used by aviation students, instructors and aviation enthusiasts who want to better understand aerodynamics.
What is the difference between pitch and flight path?
Pitch is the nose-up or nose-down component of attitude. Flight path is the actual direction of the aircraft’s motion. It is common for the two to have different values.
Does AoA LAB predict a real stall?
No, partly because it does not model the center of gravity, among other variables. AoA LAB is a teaching model and does not replace aircraft-specific data or flight training.
The simulation should also not be read as a complete stall prediction or as a representation of every aerodynamic phenomenon. Its goal is to make the idea of angle of attack much clearer.
So AoA LAB seems very interesting, but does it have limitations?
Exactly. And the model may be enhanced with each update.
Can I use AoA LAB to study aerodynamics?
Yes. It was developed to help visualize concepts such as angle of attack, relative wind, attitude, flight path, airspeed and power.