Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Practice Exam

What are the four primary forces acting on an airplane during maneuvers?

1. Lift, Drag, Thrust, Gravity

2. Thrust, Weight, Lift, Friction

3. Lift, Weight, Drag, Thrust

4. Gravity, Drag, Thrust, Buoyancy

The correct answer is: Lift, Weight, Drag, Thrust

The four primary forces acting on an airplane during maneuvers are lift, weight, drag, and thrust. Lift is the force that acts perpendicular to the relative wind and is generated by the wings as they interact with the airflow. It is essential for the airplane to overcome gravity and gain altitude. Weight, or gravity, is the force that pulls the airplane downward toward the Earth. It is the result of the airplane's mass and is constant regardless of the aircraft's maneuvering. Drag is the aerodynamic resistance that opposes the airplane's forward motion through the air. This force increases as the aircraft's speed increases and needs to be managed for efficient flight. Thrust is the force generated by the aircraft's engines, propelling it forward and counteracting drag. The balance and interaction of these four forces determine the aircraft's performance during various maneuvers, such as climbing, descending, and turning. Understanding these forces is crucial for a pilot, as it enables them to effectively control the aircraft and adjust to the dynamics of different flight conditions.