Plain English Meaning

A shaking or shuddering you feel in the airplane when the wing is starting to lose smooth airflow, usually just before a stall. It's the airplane physically warning you that you're flying too slow or pulling too hard.

Full Definition

A vibration or shaking felt through the airframe and flight controls caused by turbulent, separated airflow over the wing as it approaches a stall. It serves as a natural aerodynamic warning that the wing is nearing its critical angle of attack.

Context Anchor

You may feel aerodynamic buffet through the seat, controls, or airframe during slow flight, stall practice, turbulence, or other situations where airflow over the airplane becomes rough.