What is coffin corner in aerodynamics?

Coffin corner is a dangerous high-altitude flight condition where a fast aircraft's low-speed stall limit and high-speed Mach buffet limit become dangerously close together. Operating in this narrow speed window means that turning maneuvers or turbulence can easily trigger a loss of control. It is also known as the aerodynamic ceiling or Q corner.

What we know

• Coffin corner is a high-altitude restriction where the allowable speed range between stall buffet and Mach buffet is extremely narrow. [1, 2]
• Exceeding the upper or lower limits during steady flight due to turns or clear air turbulence can cause an aircraft to lose control. [2]
• Coffin corner is also referred to as the aerodynamic ceiling or Q corner. [1, 2]

Where to go next

• how it workedWhat causes an aircraft stall?
• the bigger pictureHow does altitude affect flight operations?
• what followedWhat happens when an aircraft hits Mach buffet?
• compared withHow does American football use the term coffin corner?
• an unexpected connectionWhat is a bomber formation combat box?

Sources

• [1]coffin corner (Wikidata Q1106866) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Coffin corner (aerodynamics) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Coffin corner · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Stall (fluid dynamics) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Altitude · CC BY-SA 4.0