Aviation Training Experts™

Aviation Dictionary

Wind shear

A sudden, drastic shift in wind speed, direction, or both that may occur in the horizontal or vertical plane.

Dictionary Term

Wind shear

Definitions

  • A sudden, drastic shift in wind speed, direction, or both that may occur in the horizontal or vertical plane.
  • A strong and sudden shift in wind speed or direction, which may be either vertical or horizontal. Wind shear should not be confused with normal wind change, which is gentler. Wind shear is often associated with the passage of a weather front, or a strong temperature inversion.
  • A change in wind speed and/or wind direction in a short distance.
  • A sudden, drastic shift in windspeed, direction, or both that may occur in the horizontal or vertical plane.

References

  • Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021
  • Balloon Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2024
  • 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