Which term describes the aerodynamic force acting perpendicular to the relative wind that supports the aircraft's weight?

Which term describes the aerodynamic force acting perpendicular to the relative wind that supports the aircraft's weight?

• A. Drag
• B. Lift
• C. Leading edge
• D. Camber

Answer: (B)

Lift is the aerodynamic force acting perpendicular to the relative wind that supports the aircraft's weight. The relative wind is the oncoming airflow as the airplane moves through the air, and when the wing deflects air downward, the reaction pushes the wing upward, perpendicular to that flow. In steady, level flight, this lift balances weight; in a bank, the lift vector tilts with the wings but still has the component that opposes weight. Drag is the force opposite the direction of motion, not perpendicular to the wind. Leading edge is simply the front edge of the wing, and camber refers to the wing’s curvature, which helps generate lift but doesn’t describe the direction of the force itself.

Lift is the aerodynamic force acting perpendicular to the relative wind that supports the aircraft's weight. The relative wind is the oncoming airflow as the airplane moves through the air, and when the wing deflects air downward, the reaction pushes the wing upward, perpendicular to that flow. In steady, level flight, this lift balances weight; in a bank, the lift vector tilts with the wings but still has the component that opposes weight. Drag is the force opposite the direction of motion, not perpendicular to the wind. Leading edge is simply the front edge of the wing, and camber refers to the wing’s curvature, which helps generate lift but doesn’t describe the direction of the force itself.