Definition
The pattern of varying air pressures acting across the surface of an airfoil as it moves through the air. As airflow accelerates over the curved upper surface, static pressure drops, while pressure on the lower surface remains relatively higher. The difference between these pressures, summed across the wing, produces lift. The location and shape of this pressure pattern shifts with changes in angle of attack.
Plain English
It's the map of how air pushes on different parts of a wing. Air moving faster over the top pushes down less, and slower air underneath pushes up more. The overall difference is what holds the airplane up.
Context Anchor
Seen when studying how a wing produces lift and how airflow around the wing changes with speed, shape, and nose position.
Derivation
Pressure comes from a Latin word meaning “to press.” Distribution comes from a Latin word meaning “to divide out or spread around.” Together, the term points to how air pressure is spread around the wing, not just the pressure at one single spot.
Why Pilots Care
The pattern controls how much lift and drag the wing produces, affecting climb, speed, and fuel use.
Grounding Statement
Lift comes from differences in pressure spread across the wing, not from a single point of force.
Intuition Check
Do not think of pressure distribution as the airplane’s overall air pressure or tire pressure. Here it means the pattern of air pressure over the wing’s surface while air is flowing around it.
Example Sentence 1
As angle of attack increases, the pressure distribution across the wing shifts forward, producing more lift -- until the wing stalls.
Example Sentence 2
Mechanics checked the pressure distribution on the tail surfaces after the modification.