Aviation Glossary
12A comprehensive glossary of aviation terms, acronyms, and technical jargon explained in plain language.
Aeroelastic Flutter
A dangerous self-exciting structural vibration caused by the interaction of aerodynamic forces, structural elasticity, and inertia at certain speeds.
Aerodynamics & FlightAngle of Attack
AoAThe angle between the wing's chord line and the oncoming airflow, determining the amount of lift generated.
Aerodynamics & FlightDrag
The aerodynamic force that opposes an aircraft's motion through the air, acting parallel and opposite to the direction of flight.
Aerodynamics & FlightDutch Roll
A combined yawing and rolling oscillation that occurs naturally in swept-wing aircraft, controlled by yaw dampers in modern designs.
Aerodynamics & FlightFlight Envelope
The defined range of airspeeds, altitudes, load factors, and angles of attack within which an aircraft is certified to operate safely.
Aerodynamics & FlightGround Effect
The increased lift and reduced drag experienced by an aircraft flying very close to the ground due to airflow compression between the wings and the surface.
Aerodynamics & FlightLift
The aerodynamic force that acts perpendicular to the airflow, keeping an aircraft in the air.
Aerodynamics & FlightMach Number
MThe ratio of an aircraft's speed to the local speed of sound, used to characterize flight in compressible airflow regimes.
Aerodynamics & FlightStall
A condition in which a wing exceeds its critical angle of attack, causing a sudden and dramatic loss of lift.
Aerodynamics & FlightTurbulence
Irregular, chaotic air movement that causes sudden changes in an aircraft's altitude, attitude, and airspeed.
Aerodynamics & FlightV-Speeds
Standardized reference airspeeds that define critical flight phase boundaries such as decision speed, rotation, and minimum safe climb speed.
Aerodynamics & FlightWake Turbulence
The rotating vortices of disturbed air left behind a flying aircraft, which pose a serious hazard to following aircraft.
Aerodynamics & Flight