Plain English Meaning

Tiny, on-purpose swirls of air created by small fins on the wing. They stir up the air close to the surface so it keeps flowing smoothly along the wing instead of breaking away, which helps the wing keep working at slower speeds and steeper angles.

Full Definition

Small, deliberately created spirals of swirling air produced by vortex generators on a wing or control surface. These vortices energize the boundary layer, helping the airflow stay attached to the surface at higher angles of attack and delaying flow separation that would otherwise lead to a stall or loss of control effectiveness.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions and of vortex generators, especially when explaining how airflow can remain smoother a wing or at .