Induced drag

General

Induced drag is the part of drag that appears because a wing or rotor blade is producing lift. It is highest at low speed, high angle of attack, and high load factor, such as in slow flight, climb, or steep turns. It comes from the airflow pattern around the tips and the downwash behind the wing. A pilot reduces it by avoiding unnecessary high angles of attack and by flying the correct speed for the phase of flight.

Also known as

lift-induced dragdrag due to lift

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