In a climbing turn, which wing should stall first?

In a climbing turn, the correct understanding is that the higher wing should stall first. This occurs due to the increased angle of attack on the higher wing in a turn. When an aircraft is in a climb, the wing that is on the outside of the turn (the higher wing) tends to generate more lift and has a greater angle of attack than the lower wing, which is banked more steeply into the turn.

As the aircraft turns, the higher wing experiences a greater load and therefore reaches the critical angle of attack sooner than the lower wing. As it approaches or exceeds this critical angle, it will stall before the lower wing does. This characteristic is particularly important for pilots to understand, as it can prompt an uncoordinated turn leading to a wing drop, potentially resulting in a spin if uncorrected.

Understanding this dynamic is crucial for safe flying practices, particularly during climbs and turns where the aircraft is more susceptible to stalls. If a pilot is aware that the higher wing will stall first, they can take proactive measures, such as managing the angle of bank and ensuring that they maintain coordinated flight to prevent a stall situation from occurring.