Drag: The Unseen Enemy

 



✈️  Drag: The Unseen Enemy

Drag is the air resistance that pushes against an aircraft as it moves forward. It works opposite to thrust (engine power) and slows the plane down.

Too much drag means:

  • The plane uses more fuel

  • It flies slower

  • It may not be as efficient in the air

🧭 Types of Drag

There are two main types of drag:

🔹 1. Parasite Drag

Happens more at high speeds
 This is the drag that does not help the plane fly — it just slows it down.

It has three types:

✅ A. Form Drag

  • Caused by the shape of the aircraft

  • Bigger or rough shapes = more drag

  • Sleek, slim designs reduce it

📌 Example: Landing gear creates form drag. That’s why it’s pulled in after takeoff.

✅ B. Skin Friction Drag

  • Caused by air rubbing against the plane's surface

  • Rough, dirty, or icy surfaces cause more drag

📌 Example: If bugs, ice, or dirt are on the wings, drag increases.

✅ C. Interference Drag

  • Caused where two surfaces meet at sharp angles

  • Like where the wings attach to the body of the plane

📌 Solution: Smooth fairings and covers are used to reduce it.

🔸 2. Induced Drag

Happens more at low speeds

  • This drag is a side effect of creating lift

  • It increases when the plane is flying slowly or climbing

  • Strong wingtip vortices (swirls of air) cause it

📌 Example: During takeoff or slow turns, the aircraft feels “heavier” — that’s induced drag increasing.

🔧 Ways to Reduce Drag

Modern aircraft are designed to cut down drag to save fuel and fly faster.

✅ A. Winglets

  • Small vertical tips on wings

  • Reduce swirling air at the tips

  • Save fuel and improve range

 ðŸ“Œ Seen on: Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo

✅ B. Fairings and Seals

  • Smooth covers over sharp joints

  • Help air flow smoothly over the aircraft

✅ C. Laminar Flow Design

  • Special wing shapes keep air smooth

  • Reduces friction on the surface

✅ D. Retracting Landing Gear

  • Wheels are pulled into the body after takeoff

  • Makes the plane more streamlined (less shape drag)

🎯 Why Planes Fly High (35,000+ ft)

  • The air is thinner up high

  • That means less drag

  • The plane can fly faster and use less fuel

📌 Example: Aircraft like the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787 are designed to cruise efficiently at these heights.

 Tanasha Tadvi

●           Airline Operation Intern

●           Asiatic International Corp

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