Definition
To exceed the critical angle of attack so that the smooth airflow over the wing separates and the wing can no longer produce sufficient lift to support the airplane. An aerodynamic stall is caused by angle of attack, not by airspeed alone — a wing can stall at any airspeed, any attitude, and any power setting if the critical angle of attack is exceeded.
Plain English
The wing stops flying because it has been tilted too steeply into the oncoming air. When that happens the air can no longer flow smoothly over the top of the wing, and the wing loses most of its lift.
Context Anchor
Seen in maneuver training, including chandelles, where the airplane is climbing and slowing near the end of the maneuver.
Derivation
From Greek 'aero' (air) and 'dynamis' (force or power) — so 'aerodynamic' means relating to the forces of air in motion. 'Stall' here is the older mechanical sense of something coming to a halt or losing its working action. Together: the wing's air-driven lifting action breaks down.
Why Pilots Care
Recognizing the onset allows prompt recovery before the airplane enters an uncontrolled descent or spin.
Grounding Statement
In a chandelle, if the nose is held too high as the airplane slows, the wing can reach the stall point even though the engine is still producing power.
Intuition Check
Do not read stall as “the engine quit.” Here it means the wing stopped producing normal lift because its angle to the oncoming air became too great.
Example Sentence 1
The goal of the chandelle is to arrive at the 180° point just above the airspeed at which the wing would aerodynamically stall.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor reduced power and raised the nose slowly so the student could feel the airplane begin to aerodynamically stall.