What is the term for the swirling air pattern created by wingtip vortices?

• A. Vortex
• B. Wake turbulence
• C. Boundary layer
• D. Turbulence

Answer: (A)

A vortex is the correct term. A vortex is a localized, swirling motion of a fluid, such as air, and wingtip vortices are the two counter-rotating vortices that form behind a lifting wing. The swirling air pattern produced by those wingtip vortices is specifically the vortex itself. Wake turbulence describes the broader disturbed flow behind an aircraft, including the vortices and their effects on other aircraft, rather than the single swirling pattern. The boundary layer is the thin layer of air in contact with the surface where viscosity dominates, and turbulence is a general chaotic motion in fluids, which can be present in wake but isn’t the specific pattern described here.