To maintain straight and level speed, _____.

Study for the Principles of Flight Test. Learn with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Prepare for your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

To maintain straight and level speed, _____.

Explanation:
In straight and level flight at a steady speed, the aircraft experiences zero net force along the direction of motion. The forward thrust must balance the backward drag, so there’s no acceleration and the speed stays constant. Lift balancing weight is what keeps the plane from climbing or descending, but when we’re focusing on maintaining a constant speed, the key relationship is thrust equal to drag. If thrust exceeds drag, the speed would increase; if drag exceeds thrust, the speed would decrease.

In straight and level flight at a steady speed, the aircraft experiences zero net force along the direction of motion. The forward thrust must balance the backward drag, so there’s no acceleration and the speed stays constant. Lift balancing weight is what keeps the plane from climbing or descending, but when we’re focusing on maintaining a constant speed, the key relationship is thrust equal to drag. If thrust exceeds drag, the speed would increase; if drag exceeds thrust, the speed would decrease.

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