Airfoil Drag Thrust 
Pilot Institute
JUNE 4, 2025
This setup makes the wing less efficient overall, but it can reduce drag, weight, and cost compared to using a separate tail. High aspect ratio wings reduce drag and improve performance during climb or slow flight. On the flipside, a decrease in aspect ratio will result in higher drag. This type of design is a reflex airfoil.
Flight Training Central
MAY 7, 2024
The term 'angle of attack' is defined as the angle between the airplane's longitudinal axis and that of the air striking the airfoil. Air traveling faster over the curved upper surface of an airfoil causes lower pressure on the top surface. The four forces acting on an airplane in flight are lift, weight, thrust, and drag.
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Vintage Aviation News
APRIL 11, 2025
They flew a total of 313 missions, collecting invaluable data on pitch stability, lift, drag, and buffeting in transonic and supersonic flight. The jet- and rocket-powered aircraft exceeded expectations, performing better than predicted in high-speed wind tunnel testsparticularly in drag performance above Mach 0.85.
Pilot Institute
MARCH 28, 2025
The exhaust coming out of aircraft engines looks pretty dangerous, generating huge amounts of thrust and pushing back tons of hot air. When air flows over the aircraft wing, the shape of the airfoil creates low pressure above the wing and relatively higher pressure below the wing. Increased Drag Moving air around is hard work!
Learn to Fly
JULY 11, 2024
An angle of attack (AOA) indicator can determine the aerodynamic health of the airfoil (wing). More simply, an AOA indicator displays the margin between the current AOA of the airfoil, and the AOA at which the airfoil will stall (critical AOA), providing the pilot with a visual and sometimes audible indication.
Pilot Institute
APRIL 12, 2025
This principle is fundamental in generating lift, thrust, and maneuverability, allowing aircraft to fly. Thrust (how it moves forward). They are designed with a special shape called an airfoil, which encourages passing air to turn and deflect downward. That force is called thrust. Wings do just that.
Pilot Institute
JUNE 12, 2025
As you reach high speeds, especially near or above the speed of sound, you can then sweep the wings back to reduce drag. They delay the formation of shock waves that cause wave drag. But when you’re doing high-speed dashes, sweeping the wings back will reduce drag. Lower required thrust, and shorter takeoff and landing rolls.
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