What is drag?

What is drag?

• A. The forward force produced by engines
• B. Air resistance against the aircraft that tends to slow it down.
• C. The upward force generated by the wings
• D. The gravity acting on the aircraft

Answer: (B)

Drag is the air resistance acting opposite to the airplane’s motion through the air. As the aircraft moves, air flows around and against the surfaces, creating a backward force that tends to slow it down. This resistance comes from two main sources: air rubbing along the surfaces (skin friction) and air being pushed aside or around the plane (form or pressure drag). Because drag fights the forward thrust, the engine must work to overcome it, especially as speed increases. This is different from lift, which pushes upward on the wings; thrust, which pushes forward from the engines; and weight, which is gravity pulling the plane downward.

Drag is the air resistance acting opposite to the airplane’s motion through the air. As the aircraft moves, air flows around and against the surfaces, creating a backward force that tends to slow it down. This resistance comes from two main sources: air rubbing along the surfaces (skin friction) and air being pushed aside or around the plane (form or pressure drag). Because drag fights the forward thrust, the engine must work to overcome it, especially as speed increases. This is different from lift, which pushes upward on the wings; thrust, which pushes forward from the engines; and weight, which is gravity pulling the plane downward.