As an aircraft approaches a stall, the center of pressure moves in which direction?

As an aircraft approaches a stall, the center of pressure moves forward, then backward. This is due to the change in airflow over the aircraft's wings as the angle of attack increases.

Initially, as the angle of attack increases, the center of pressure shifts forward because the lifting force is generated and the flow over the airfoil changes. However, as the aircraft reaches the critical angle of attack and begins to stall, the airflow separates from the wing's upper surface, causing a loss of lift and a shift of the center of pressure backward.

This movement is critical for understanding stall characteristics and how they influence the aircraft's handling. Recognizing the behavior of the center of pressure assists pilots in managing their approach to stalls and understanding the aerodynamic forces at play during critical flight phases.