Mini Lesson: The Four Forces of Flight

If you've ever looked up at a plane or helicopter in the sky, you've probably asked yourself, "now how does THAT work?" The simple answer? Lift, weight, thrust, and drag. Understanding these four forces can be as easy or as complicated as you make it.

Let's start simple:

▪Lift: The wings or rotors pushing air downward, causing the aircraft to move upward

▪Works opposite of Weight

▪Weight: The force of the weight of the aircraft itself, the pilot, fuel, equipment, and all other components being pulled toward earth by gravity

▪Works opposite of Lift

▪Thrust: As the propellers rotate, they push air backwards, in turn pushing the aircraft forward through the air

▪Works opposite of Drag

▪Drag: The air resisting movement due to the shape of the aircraft

▪Works opposite of thrust

Without these four forces working together, an aircraft would not stay in the air!