What are the four forces on an aircraft and how do they act on an aircraft?

Answer 1

For an airplane to fly, it must always engage in a tug of war between the opposing forces of lift versus weight and thrust versus drag. For a moment, think of an airplane moving from right to left and the flow of air moving from left to right. The weight or force due to gravity pulls down on the plane opposing the lift created by air flowing over the wing. Thrust is generated by the propellor and opposes drag caused by air resistance to the airplane. During take off, thrust must be greater than drag and lift must be greater than weight so that the airplane can become airborne. For landing thrust must be less than drag, and lift must be less than weight. Hope this helps

Answer 2

The answer depends on the velocity of the craft, the angle of attack on the wing, and the action of the control surfaces. But let's look at the basics. In straight and level flight with motion due to thrust provided by the engine, the wing is tipped up slightly so that "incoming" air will strike the underside of the wing, be deflected down, and push the wing up creating lift. (This is kite effect, and it's how kites fly.) Some differential pressure will exist when we compare the air pressure on the upper wing and the lower wing. There will be drag created by the wing slowing the craft down, and gravity will be trying to pull the wing down.

Answer 3

The 4 forces are defined as

LIFT

WEIGHT

THRUST

DRAG

When an aircraft is cruising it is considered to be Lift = Weight / Thrust = Drag

Lift = The amount of lift the wing produces

Weight = The weight of the aircraft

Thrust = The force the engine produces

Drag = The resistance in the air - friction etc

Answer 4

We know that gravity, thrust, lift and drag act on flying objects.

Answer 5

Weight, lift, drag and thrust are the 4 forces that act on an object in contact with a fluid medium, but weight is a gravitational field force and thrust is a mechanical force.