When discussing the AOA gauge, what is indicated at 0 AOA?

In the context of the Angle of Attack (AOA) gauge, an indication of 0 AOA represents a neutral flight condition. This means the aircraft is in straight and level flight where the aerodynamic forces acting on it are balanced. At this point, the wings are generating just enough lift to counteract the weight, without approaching either a stall condition or excessive climb.

When the AOA is at 0, the aircraft is optimally balanced in terms of aerodynamic performance, not experiencing either the high angles associated with potential stalls or the low angles found during maximum climbing efforts. This understanding helps pilots maintain efficient flight performance and avoid maneuvers that could lead to undesired flight conditions.