What is the effect of flying at an angle of attack of 2 degrees compared to 16.5 degrees?

When comparing the angle of attack of 2 degrees to 16.5 degrees, it is important to understand the relationship between lift and drag. At lower angles of attack, such as 2 degrees, the airflow over the wing is more streamlined, resulting in a more efficient lift-to-drag ratio. As the angle of attack increases to 16.5 degrees, the wing generates significantly more lift, but it also encounters a corresponding increase in drag due to airflow separation and induced drag.

Therefore, while flying at 16.5 degrees yields greater lift, this lift comes at the cost of increased drag. The lift-to-drag ratio is an important concept in aerodynamics, as it indicates the efficiency of the aircraft's flight. At lower angles of attack, the lift-to-drag ratio is generally more favorable compared to higher angles of attack. This means that while the actual amounts of lift may differ between the two angles, the lift-to-drag ratio remains relatively constant or even better at 2 degrees than at 16.5 degrees, thus highlighting the efficiency of flight at that lower angle.