EASA Principles of Flight Practice Test

The induced angle of attack is the downward deflection of the airflow caused by the wing as it generates lift. When the wing pushes air downward (downwash), the relative wind approaching the wing is tilted downward. The angle between this deflected relative wind and the wing’s chord line is the induced angle of attack. It explains why the wing effectively sees more of an angle of attack than just the aircraft’s flight path, and it grows with stronger lift (and downwash). It’s not the angle between the wing and the horizon, nor a difference between true and indicated airspeed, and it’s not simply the angle between the wing and the flight path.