Question

Purpose of leading edge is to ______________

(a) allow the wing to operate at high angle of attack

(b) allow the wing to operate at low angle of attack

(c) allow the wing to operate at stall condition

(d) allow the wing to operate in level condition

This question was posed to me in a national level competition.

Question is taken from Airfoil Nomenclature topic in portion Incompressible Flow over Airfoils of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

The correct option is (a) allow the wing to operate at high angle of attack

To explain I would say: Leading edge is a part of the airfoil. Leading edge allows the wing to operate at a high angle of attack. Slats are placed at the leading edge. These are aerodynamic surfaces on the leading edge of the wing. These are high lift devices used for short takeoff.