In a constant descent, what must an aircraft's weight equal?

In a constant descent, what must an aircraft's weight equal?

• A. Drag and thrust
• B. Vertical component of lift and drag
• C. Total aerodynamic force and weight
• D. Weight and thrust

Answer: (B)

In a constant descent, the aircraft must maintain a balance between the vertical component of lift and drag. This condition ensures that the aircraft's descent is controlled. During a constant descent, the aircraft is not accelerating vertically, which means that the lift generated must equal the weight of the aircraft acting in the downward direction. However, since the aircraft is descending, the lift is not purely vertical; it must also account for the drag, which opposes the motion of the aircraft. In this scenario, the vertical component of lift must be equal to the aircraft's weight to maintain a steady descent angle. This balance allows the aircraft to descend smoothly without accelerating downward, thus achieving a controllable and stable descent rate. While other forces like thrust and drag play roles in the overall flight dynamics, they are not directly related to the condition of maintaining constant descent. The focus here is specifically on the relationship between lift and weight when the aircraft is descending at a constant rate.

In a constant descent, the aircraft must maintain a balance between the vertical component of lift and drag. This condition ensures that the aircraft's descent is controlled. During a constant descent, the aircraft is not accelerating vertically, which means that the lift generated must equal the weight of the aircraft acting in the downward direction. However, since the aircraft is descending, the lift is not purely vertical; it must also account for the drag, which opposes the motion of the aircraft.

In this scenario, the vertical component of lift must be equal to the aircraft's weight to maintain a steady descent angle. This balance allows the aircraft to descend smoothly without accelerating downward, thus achieving a controllable and stable descent rate.

While other forces like thrust and drag play roles in the overall flight dynamics, they are not directly related to the condition of maintaining constant descent. The focus here is specifically on the relationship between lift and weight when the aircraft is descending at a constant rate.