Which condition increases induced drag?

Which condition increases induced drag?

• A. Decreased air density
• B. Increased weight
• C. Increased true airspeed
• D. Decreased wing area

Answer: (B)

Induced drag is a type of drag that occurs as a byproduct of lift production. It increases with an increase in the angle of attack, which is generally associated with increased weight. When the weight of an aircraft increases, it requires a higher angle of attack for the wings to generate the necessary lift to maintain level flight. As the angle of attack increases, the induced drag also increases due to the creation of greater vortices at the wingtips which disrupt the airflow over the wings. In this context, when considering the influence of weight on induced drag, a heavier aircraft demands a higher lift coefficient, which occurs at a higher angle of attack and results in more induced drag. Therefore, the positive correlation between increased weight and induced drag is a fundamental aspect of aerodynamics that highlights how load factors can impact flight performance.

Induced drag is a type of drag that occurs as a byproduct of lift production. It increases with an increase in the angle of attack, which is generally associated with increased weight. When the weight of an aircraft increases, it requires a higher angle of attack for the wings to generate the necessary lift to maintain level flight. As the angle of attack increases, the induced drag also increases due to the creation of greater vortices at the wingtips which disrupt the airflow over the wings.

In this context, when considering the influence of weight on induced drag, a heavier aircraft demands a higher lift coefficient, which occurs at a higher angle of attack and results in more induced drag. Therefore, the positive correlation between increased weight and induced drag is a fundamental aspect of aerodynamics that highlights how load factors can impact flight performance.