AI.II.D.K4FAA-S-ACS-25 · Nov 2023Knowledge
Forces acting on an airplane.
Forces acting on an airplane.
Bottom line
Thrust, drag, lift, and weight are the forces that act upon all aircraft in flight. In straight-and-level, unaccelerated flight, the four forces acting on an aircraft are thrust, drag, lift, and weight. Understanding how these forces work and knowing how to control them with power and flight controls are essential to flight.
Key numbers
| Number | What it means |
|---|---|
| 4 forces in straight-and-level, unaccelerated flight | Four forces |
FAA references
- PHAK ch. 5 (p. 5-1) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- PHAK ch. 4 (pp. 4-5–4-6) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
- PHAK ch. 4 (p. 4-1) — FAA-H-8083-25C (2023)
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