Aviation Analogies

Everyday comparisons that make aviation ideas click, and where each one stops being accurate.

Analogies are simplified learning aids. They do not replace flight training, aircraft-specific procedures, official publications or current operational requirements.

Analogy of the daySpokes radiating from a hub

30 analogies

Aviation Analogies

Navigation & Wind

Aerodynamics & Handling

Aircraft Systems & Instruments

Weather

Human Factors & Safety

Aviation AnalogiesNEW

Navigation & Wind

The boat crossing a riverA motorboat points straight across a flowing river.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

A balloon moving with the airA free balloon can travel across the countryside while the people in the basket feel almost no breeze.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

The small angle that grows into a big missTwo straight roads separate at only a tiny angle.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

Spokes radiating from a hubPicture a bicycle wheel laid flat on a map.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

A diagonal measuring tapeFrom a balcony, stretch a tape measure diagonally down to a point in the courtyard.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

The equal-time meeting pointYou are driving between two towns.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

How far can you walk before you must turn back?A hiker has limited drinking water and must keep enough to walk back out.Navigation & WindExplore analogyExplore analogy

Aerodynamics & Handling

Tilting your hand out of a car windowAs a passenger, hold a flat hand out of the window and slowly tilt the front edge up.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

Water peeling off a spoonHold the curved back of a spoon lightly against a running tap.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

The push from a garden hosePoint a hose nozzle down at the ground and you feel it push upwards in your hand.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

The swing-chair ride at the showOn a swing-chair ride, the chairs hang from chains.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

Two people carrying a shopping bagTwo people share a heavy bag, one handle each.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

A cyclist leaning into a cornerA cyclist going round a corner at a fixed lean angle carves a wider arc the faster they ride.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

Letting out a fuller sailIn light winds, sailors make their sails fuller and more curved to get more push from slow-moving air.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

Setting the tension on an office chairSome office chairs let you set the recline tension so the chair rests at your preferred angle without you pushing back the whole time.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

A screw turning into woodEach turn of a screw drives it a set distance into the wood.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

Air resistance on a cyclistPedalling a bicycle much faster takes far more effort to push through the air, even on a flat road.Aerodynamics & HandlingExplore analogyExplore analogy

Aircraft Systems & Instruments

A height scale made from air pressureImagine a building where a pressure gauge numbers the floors, assuming pressure always drops by a fixed pattern as you go up.Aircraft Systems & InstrumentsExplore analogyExplore analogy

A bicycle dynamo lightA bicycle dynamo lights the lamp whenever the wheel turns.Aircraft Systems & InstrumentsExplore analogyExplore analogy

A meter on a reservoir pipeA two-way flow meter on a reservoir pipe shows whether water is going into storage or coming out.Aircraft Systems & InstrumentsExplore analogyExplore analogy

Automatic gears on a bicycleAn automatic bicycle gear system changes gear as the hill or speed changes, so the rider keeps pedalling at the same comfortable rate.Aircraft Systems & InstrumentsExplore analogyExplore analogy

A spinning top that stays uprightA fast-spinning top stays upright and resists being knocked over.Aircraft Systems & InstrumentsExplore analogyExplore analogy

Adjusting a gas burnerA gas burner burns cleanly only when the gas and air are in the right proportion.Aircraft Systems & InstrumentsExplore analogyExplore analogy

Weather

Droplets on a cold glassOn a humid day, droplets form on a cold glass because the air touching it cools until its water vapour condenses.WeatherExplore analogyExplore analogy

Human Factors & Safety

A chef checking the recipeAn experienced chef knows a recipe by heart, but still checks it when the kitchen is busy, because that's when steps get missed.Human Factors & SafetyExplore analogyExplore analogy

Repeating a takeaway orderWhen you phone in a takeaway order, the staff repeat it back.Human Factors & SafetyExplore analogyExplore analogy

Thinking two moves ahead in chessA good chess player looks at the board as it is now and thinks about what will happen in the next few moves.Human Factors & SafetyExplore analogyExplore analogy

If it's flooded, forget itA driver has been on the road for hours, but the causeway ahead is flooded.Human Factors & SafetyExplore analogyExplore analogy

Autocorrect with confidencePhone autocorrect quietly turns a word into something you didn't mean.Human Factors & SafetyExplore analogyExplore analogy

Slices of Swiss cheeseStack several slices of Swiss cheese.Human Factors & SafetyExplore analogyExplore analogy

Aviation Analogies