Plain English Meaning

When wind hits the side of an aircraft, the aircraft tries to turn its nose into the wind, the same way a rooftop wind vane points into the breeze.

Full Definition

The natural tendency of an aircraft on the ground, or in flight under certain conditions, to align its longitudinal axis (nose) into the relative wind, pivoting about its vertical axis like a wind vane on a rooftop. On the ground, this is most noticeable during taxi, takeoff, or landing in a crosswind, when the larger side area behind the pivot point (main wheels) causes the tail to swing downwind and the nose to swing into the wind.

Context Anchor

Seen in discussions of , , and how the helps keep an aligned with the .