What overall effect does increasing the angle of attack have on total drag?

Increasing the angle of attack leads to an increase in total drag due to the way aerodynamics work. When the angle of attack is increased, the airfoil (such as a wing) encounters more airflow disruption, resulting in a greater amount of lift generated up to a certain point. However, as the angle continues to increase beyond the optimal level, a phenomenon known as flow separation occurs. This separation creates turbulence on the upper surface of the wing, which increases form drag.

Additionally, as lift and induced drag also increase with higher angles of attack, the total drag—composed of both induced and profile drag—will rise. This increase can be attributed to the worsened aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft at higher angles, leading to higher air resistance. Consequently, the overall effect of increasing the angle of attack is to increase total drag, which pilots must manage carefully to maintain optimal flight performance.