Definition
The angle between the relative wind and the chord line of an airfoil that is created by the downwash from the wing's own lift production. It is the portion of the total angle of attack caused by the air being deflected downward as the wing generates lift, rather than by the geometric pitch of the wing relative to the undisturbed airflow.
Plain English
When a wing makes lift, it pushes air downward behind it. That downward push tilts the air arriving at the wing slightly downward too. The induced angle of attack is the small extra tilt this self-made downwash adds to the angle the wing meets the air.
Context Anchor
Seen in aerodynamics discussions about lift, induced drag, wingtip vortices, and propeller or rotor blade airflow.
Derivation
Induced comes from the Latin inducere, meaning to lead in or bring about. Here it captures the key idea: this part of the angle of attack is brought about by the wing itself through its own lift production, not by how the pilot has pitched the aircraft.
Why Pilots Care
It is the main source of induced drag, which increases fuel burn and limits climb performance at low speeds.
Grounding Statement
When a wing makes lift, it does not just meet the air; it also turns some of that air downward, which changes the angle the wing actually feels.
Intuition Check
Do not read induced as meaning the pilot directly sets this angle. It is caused by the wing or blade making lift and changing the airflow around it.
Example Sentence 1
At low airspeeds, the wing must produce strong downwash to support the aircraft, which increases the induced angle of attack and the associated drag.
Example Sentence 2
In a steep turn the airplane needs extra lift, which raises the induced angle of attack on both wings.