Definition
Rotating cylinders of air that form at the tips of a wing whenever the wing is producing lift. They are caused by high-pressure air beneath the wing spilling around the wingtip into the lower-pressure area above the wing, creating a tight, spiraling flow that trails behind each wingtip.
Plain English
Spinning tubes of air that come off the ends of the wings whenever an airplane is flying. They are a side effect of the wing producing lift, and they trail behind the airplane.
Context Anchor
Seen in discussions of takeoff, landing, wake turbulence, and ground effect near the runway.
Derivation
Vortex comes from the Latin vortex / vertex, meaning a whirling or turning motion. The term simply describes the swirling air pattern that forms at each wingtip.
Why Pilots Care
They produce strong wake turbulence that can upset or roll a following aircraft, with the greatest risk during takeoff and landing when the vortices are strongest and remain close to the ground.
Analogy
They are like small whirlpools made of air, rolling off each wingtip instead of forming in water.
Grounding Statement
Picture air curling off each wingtip as the airplane lifts off; close to the ground, the runway surface disrupts that curl.
Intuition Check
Wingtip vortices are not only the white trails you may see in humid air; they can be completely invisible. They are also not limited to large jets—any wing producing lift can make them.
Example Sentence 1
When taking off behind a heavy jet, the pilot waited extra time to let the wingtip vortices dissipate before beginning the takeoff roll.
Example Sentence 2
Wingtip vortices are strongest behind large, slow aircraft and can persist long enough to affect a following airplane on final approach.