Principles of Flight: Understanding Lift, Weight, Thrust, and Drag
The principles of flight are governed by the interaction of four fundamental aerodynamic forces: lift , weight (gravity) , thrust , and drag . These forces work together to enable aircraft to achieve, maintain, and control flight. Understanding these forces is essential for anyone interested in how airplanes fly and how objects move through the sky. The Four Forces of Flight Explained 1. Lift Lift is the upward force that supports an aircraft in the air, counteracting gravity. It is generated by the unique shape of an airplane's wings, known as an airfoil . As air moves faster over the curved upper surface and slower beneath the wing, Bernoulli’s principle explains that this creates a pressure difference—lower pressure above and higher pressure below—producing lift. This upward force allows the aircraft to rise and stay aloft. 2. Weight (Gravity) Weight , or gravity, is the downward force that pulls the aircraft toward Earth. It is determined by the aircraft’s total...