If thrust is greater than drag, what happens to the aircraft?

If thrust is greater than drag, what happens to the aircraft?

• A. Decelerate
• B. Maintain altitude
• C. Accelerate
• D. Stall

Answer: (C)

When thrust is greater than drag, there is a net forward force on the airplane. That extra forward push accelerates the aircraft, so the speed increases. As speed rises, drag also increases, and the aircraft will keep accelerating only until drag climbs enough to match thrust, reaching a new steady speed. The other outcomes would require different conditions: deceleration would mean drag exceeds thrust, a stall requires a high angle of attack or very low speed, and maintaining altitude would require thrust to balance drag while lift balances weight.

When thrust is greater than drag, there is a net forward force on the airplane. That extra forward push accelerates the aircraft, so the speed increases. As speed rises, drag also increases, and the aircraft will keep accelerating only until drag climbs enough to match thrust, reaching a new steady speed. The other outcomes would require different conditions: deceleration would mean drag exceeds thrust, a stall requires a high angle of attack or very low speed, and maintaining altitude would require thrust to balance drag while lift balances weight.