Figure: Angle of Attack @~copters

4) Angle of attack is an aerodynamic angle:
~ defined as the angle between >blade chord and its direction of motion relative to the air; (3) resultant >relative wind
~ several factors may cause rotor blade angle of attack to change
~ some are controlled by the pilot and some occur automatically due to the >rotor system design
~ pilots are able to adjust angle of attack by moving the cyclic and collective pitch controls
~ however, even when these controls are held stationary,
~ the angle of attack constantly changes as the blade moves around the circumference of the >rotor disk
~ other factors affecting angle of attack, over which the pilot has little control,
~ are blade flapping, blade flexing, and gusty wind or turbulent air conditions
~ angle of attack is one of the primary factors that determines amount of lift and >drag produced by a >blade

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