How does wing washout affect stall characteristics?

Wing washout refers to the intentional design feature of having a decreasing angle of incidence from the root of the wing to the tip. This design helps manage stall characteristics by allowing the root of the wing to stall before the tips.

When the root stalls first, it provides a more controlled and predictable stall behavior because the airplane can maintain some aileron control from the tips of the wing. By stalling the root first, the main lifting surface remains effective at the outer section of the wing longer, reducing the risk of a sudden loss of control that can occur if the tips stall first.

This characteristic is essential for flight safety, especially during low-speed maneuvers or approaches. It enables pilots to have a better handling response as the wing approaches its critical angle of attack, giving them the opportunity to recover before the entire wing is in a stalled condition. Therefore, the design principle of washout directly influences how an aircraft behaves in a stall situation, making option C the correct answer.