Airsides

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. The external vertical surfaces of an aircraft's wings and fuselage; the lateral sides exposed to airflow during flight; the broad flat areas contributing to aerodynamic lift
2. The outward-facing broad areas on an airplane's structure that interact with the surrounding air; the flanking side portions seen from the front or back of an aircraft; the spans influencing aerodynamic resistance and stability
3. The lateral exterior panels of an aircraft, primarily wings and body sides, exposed to the atmosphere; the side regions relevant in airflow dynamics; sections affecting lift and drag during operation

Etymology: "Airsides" is the plural of "airside", a compound formed simply by joining "air" and "side". The first element comes from Old French "air", borrowed from Latin "āēr" and ultimately from Ancient Greek "āḗr", which named the lower atmosphere, the breathable medium surrounding the earth. The second element goes back to Old English "sīde", ultimately rooted in an ancient word for the flank or lateral part of the body. In aviation the compound is literal: it refers to the sides of an aircraft that meet the moving air, namely its wings and fuselage, and to the regions where airflow shapes lift and drag. The plural simply treats these exposed surfaces as several distinct areas rather than one.

Synonyms: windward side, upwind side

Antonyms: leeward side, downwind side