AFOQT Practice Test

Which type of drag increases automatically with increased lift?

1. Profile drag

2. Parasite drag

3. Induced drag

4. Lift drag

The correct answer is: Induced drag

The correct answer is indeed induced drag. Induced drag is the drag that is created as a byproduct of generating lift. When an aircraft generates lift, the airflow over the wings creates a pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces. This pressure difference leads to the development of vortices at the wingtips, which increases induced drag as the lift increases. This means that as an aircraft increases its lift (for example, during takeoff or maneuvers), the induced drag also increases in proportion to that lift. In contrast, profile drag and parasite drag are generally more influenced by the shape of the aircraft and its speed rather than being directly tied to the amount of lift being produced. Lift drag is not a standard term used in aerodynamics, and thus does not apply in this context. Understanding the relationship between lift and induced drag is fundamental when considering aircraft performance during various flight maneuvers.