Definition
The single resultant force produced by air flowing around a wing or airfoil, representing the combined effect of all aerodynamic pressures acting on its surface. This force is conventionally resolved into two components: lift, which acts perpendicular to the relative wind, and drag, which acts parallel to and opposite the relative wind.
Plain English
When air flows over a wing, it pushes on the wing in a particular direction. That overall push is the total aerodynamic force. We usually split it into two parts: the part that holds the airplane up (lift) and the part that pulls it backward (drag).
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of lift and the four forces, especially when a wing diagram shows one angled air force being broken into lift and drag.
Derivation
Aerodynamic comes from the Greek aer (air) and dynamis (power or force) -- literally 'the force of moving air.' Total here simply means the whole, undivided force before it is split into lift and drag components.
Why Pilots Care
Changes in angle of attack or airspeed alter this force and therefore both lift and drag at the same time.
Analogy
It is like pulling a wagon with a rope at an angle. The rope creates one pull, but part of that pull lifts slightly upward and part pulls forward. Total aerodynamic force is the one combined air force before it is split into parts.
Grounding Statement
Air pushing on a moving wing creates one overall force; pilots split it into 'up' (lift) and 'back' (drag) to make it easier to think about.
Intuition Check
Do not think of total aerodynamic force as just lift. It is the full air-created force before separating it into lift and drag.
Example Sentence 1
As the wing's angle of attack increased, the total aerodynamic force grew, producing more lift but also more drag.
Example Sentence 2
A pilot reduces the total aerodynamic force by lowering the nose and decreasing angle of attack.