Lift
Lift is the component of aerodynamic force perpendicular to the relative airflow. In an airplane, it helps support the airplane’s weight during flight.
Reviewed 05.10.2026 · Version 2 · Scope: General
How to interpret it
Lift depends on the interaction between the airflow and aerodynamic surfaces. Speed, density, geometry, and angle of attack contribute to its generation; a basic explanation does not replace an aircraft’s data and procedures.
Example
Hypothetical example: comparing the same surface under different airflow conditions may show a different lift force. This does not establish a safe operating speed for an actual airplane.
Why it matters to you
It helps explain the vocabulary of aircraft design and flight without turning a general definition into an operational instruction.
Common points of confusion
Lift is not engine thrust, nor is it a force that always points vertically relative to the ground. Its reference is the relative airflow.
Documentary sources
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