Definition
The movement of air over, under, and around an object — particularly the wings, control surfaces, and other parts of an aircraft. In aviation, airflow describes both the direction and behavior of air as it moves relative to the airplane and is the basis for how lift, drag, and control forces are produced.
Plain English
How air moves past the airplane and its parts. The shape and speed of that moving air is what allows the wing to lift and the controls to work.
Context Anchor
In the flap section, you see this term when describing how flaps change the way air moves over the wing.
Derivation
A simple combination of 'air' and 'flow.' 'Flow' comes from Old English flōwan, meaning to move like water. The word captures the idea that air, though invisible, moves in streams much like a river — and those streams behave in predictable ways around the airplane.
Why Pilots Care
Changes in airflow from flap extension allow slower flight and steeper approaches while preserving control.
Grounding Statement
Picture water flowing smoothly around a stone in a stream — air does the same thing around a wing, only you can't see it.
Intuition Check
Airflow does not only mean natural wind. In flight, it usually means the air moving over the airplane because the airplane is moving through the air.
Example Sentence 1
Lowering the flaps changes the airflow over the wing, increasing both lift and drag.
Example Sentence 2
Turbulent airflow near the wing root can reduce aileron effectiveness during a stall recovery.