Relative wind

Definitions

• The direction of the airflow with respect to the wing. If a wing moves forward horizontally, the relative wind moves backward horizontally. Relative wind is parallel to and opposite the flightpath of the airplane.
• Direction of the airflow produced by an object moving through the air. The relative wind for an airplane in flight flows in a direction parallel with and opposite to the direction of flight; therefore, the actual flight path of the airplane determines the direction of the relative wind.
• The direction the wind strikes an airfoil. If a wing moves forward horizontally, the relative wind moves backward horizontally. Relative wind is parallel to and opposite the flightpath of the airplane.
• The direction the wind strikes an airfoil.

References

• Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021
• Instrument Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2014
• Powered Parachute Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2007
• Weight-Shift Control Aircraft Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2008