forces acting on an airplane

Physical phenomena that affect the movement of an aircraft in flight.

weight

Force resulting from the effect of the Earth’s gravity acting on the aircraft’s mass; the force of the engines must overpower this to keep the aircraft in the air.

drag

Force opposite to thrust that creates resistance to the aircraft’s forward movement and must be reduced.

lift

Force exerted on an aircraft’s wings to keep it in the air when a certain forward speed is reached.

thrust

Force developed by the engine’s propeller pulling it forward; in jet aircraft, thrust is created by the force of the ducts.