Aviation Dictionary

Relative wind

The direction of the airflow with respect to the wing. If a wing moves forward horizontally, the relative wind moves backward horizontally. Relative wind is parallel to and opposite the flightpath of the airplane.

Dictionary Term

Relative wind

Definition

The direction of the airflow with respect to the wing. If a wing moves forward horizontally, the relative wind moves backward horizontally. Relative wind is parallel to and opposite the flightpath of the airplane.

References

Airplane Flying Handbook, Federal Aviation Administration, 2021