Question

The drag of an aircraft in steady climbing flight at a given forward speed is

• A. inversely proportional to climb angle
• B. higher than drag at steady level flight at the same forward speed
• C. lower than drag at steady level flight at the same forward speed
• D. independent of climb angle

Hint:

Climbing requires extra lift component to oppose part of aircraft weight along climb angle.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

In the context of Aerospace Engineering, considering an aircraft in steady climbing flight, it's important to understand the aerodynamic forces at play. The key forces during this phase include lift, thrust, weight, and drag. When an aircraft is in steady level flight, the lift is equal to the weight, and thrust is equal to the drag. However, in climbing flight, additional factors come into play.

During a steady climb, the aircraft must overcome not only its own drag but also the component of its weight acting along the path of ascent. To maintain a steady climb at a given forward speed, thrust must increase to counteract this additional force. This effectively increases the drag force that the aircraft experiences compared to level flight. Thus, the drag on an aircraft during a steady climb is higher than that in steady level flight at the same forward speed.

Conclusively, the answer is that the drag of an aircraft in steady climbing flight at a given forward speed is:

Higher than drag at steady level flight at the same forward speed.