What defines combustion in aviation?

Combustion in aviation is fundamentally defined as the chemical process of burning. This process involves a fuel reacting with an oxidizer, commonly oxygen, to produce energy in the form of heat and light. In aviation, combustion is critical as it powers jet engines and piston engines, converting fuel into thrust that propels the aircraft. Understanding combustion is essential for engineers and aviators since it directly impacts aircraft performance, fuel efficiency, and emissions.

The other options do not pertain to the definition of combustion. Navigating through airspace relates to flight operations, controlling an aircraft pertains to piloting techniques and maneuvers, while the design of aircraft wings focuses on aerodynamics and lift generation, none of which involve the chemical processes associated with combustion.