What is a disadvantage of swept wings?

Swept wings, commonly found on many modern jet aircraft, have a design that enhances aerodynamic efficiency at high speeds. However, one of the notable disadvantages of this design is related to their stall characteristics. When a swept-wing aircraft approaches a stall condition, the airflow over the wing starts to separate from the wing surface, impacting lift production. In swept wings, this stall typically initiates at the wingtips rather than at the root.

As a result, when the wings stall from the tips inward, the aircraft can experience an increasing yaw moment towards the stalled wing, which may lead to a more difficult and potentially dangerous recovery. This stall behavior can make it harder for pilots to control the aircraft in such a situation, increasing concern about handling and safety, especially at critical phases of flight or low speeds.

While the other answer choices do touch upon elements of aircraft performance, they do not accurately reflect the distinctive stall behavior associated with swept wings. For instance, although drag at lower speeds can be an issue, swept wings are specifically designed to mitigate drag at high velocities rather than at lower ones. Additionally, while swept wings might produce less lift at a given angle of attack compared to straight wings, this doesn’t automatically equate to an overall performance disadvantage