Which direction does lift act relative to the relative wind?

Which direction does lift act relative to the relative wind?

• A. Perpendicular to the relative wind
• B. Parallel to the relative wind
• C. Along the wing span
• D. Along the fuselage axis

Answer: (A)

Lift acts perpendicular to the relative wind. The relative wind is the air flow seen by the glider as it moves through the atmosphere (opposite the flight direction). Lift comes from the pressure difference created by the wing’s angle of attack, and that force points normal to the oncoming air, not along the direction of the airflow. In other words, lift pushes mostly upward, while the air streams past the wing. By contrast, drag lies along the relative wind, opposing the motion. So lift isn’t along the wing span or along the fuselage axis; it is oriented at right angles to the relative wind.

Lift acts perpendicular to the relative wind. The relative wind is the air flow seen by the glider as it moves through the atmosphere (opposite the flight direction). Lift comes from the pressure difference created by the wing’s angle of attack, and that force points normal to the oncoming air, not along the direction of the airflow. In other words, lift pushes mostly upward, while the air streams past the wing. By contrast, drag lies along the relative wind, opposing the motion. So lift isn’t along the wing span or along the fuselage axis; it is oriented at right angles to the relative wind.