What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?

The four fundamental forces acting on an aircraft in flight are lift, weight, thrust, and drag. Understanding these forces is crucial to comprehend how an aircraft operates during various flight maneuvers.

Lift is the force that acts perpendicular to the relative wind and enables an aircraft to rise off the ground. It is generated primarily by the wings and depends on various factors, including the shape of the wings (airfoil), the angle of attack, and airspeed.

Weight, also known as gravity, is the force that pulls the aircraft downward toward the Earth's surface. It acts at the center of gravity of the aircraft and is essential for achieving a balance between the forces during flight.

Thrust is the forward force produced by the aircraft’s engines (piston, jet, or turbofan) that propels the aircraft through the air. For an aircraft to take off and climb, thrust must exceed drag, which is the aerodynamic resistance opposing the aircraft’s motion.

Drag is the resistance experienced by an object moving through a fluid—in this case, air. It works opposite to thrust and can be affected by the shape of the aircraft, speed, and the density of the air.

The combination of these four forces determines how an aircraft climbs, descends, and