Plain English Meaning

The slowest speed at which the wings can still produce enough lift to keep the airplane flying. Go slower than that, and the wing stops flying.

Full Definition

The minimum airspeed at which an airplane can maintain level flight in a given configuration and load condition. Below this speed, the wing's angle of attack required to support the aircraft exceeds the critical angle, the airflow separates from the upper wing surface, and lift drops sharply. Stall speed varies with weight, load factor (bank angle and G-loading), configuration (, ), and .