Definition
A sudden, brief increase in wind speed, generally lasting less than 20 seconds, in which the peak speed reaches at least 10 knots above the lull (the lower wind speed between gusts).
Plain English
A short, sharp burst of wind that is noticeably stronger than the steady wind around it.
Context Anchor
Pilots encounter gusts in weather reports, during taxi, takeoff, landing, and any time wind is changing quickly around the aircraft.
Derivation
From Old Norse 'gustr', meaning a cold blast of wind. The original sense — a sudden puff — carries directly into the aviation meaning.
Why Pilots Care
Gusts can cause sudden changes in airspeed and lift near the ground, requiring prompt control inputs to maintain safe margins.
Grounding Statement
A gust is the sudden push you feel when the wind briefly hits harder than it was a moment before.
Intuition Check
Do not read gust as just another word for wind. Wind may be steady; a gust is the short, stronger burst within changing wind.
Example Sentence 1
The tower reported wind two-seven-zero at one-five, gusts two-five, so we added half the gust factor to our approach speed.
Example Sentence 2
A gust from the left caused the airplane to drift during the flare.