In steady-state level flight, the opposing forces are equal in magnitude.

In steady-state level flight, the opposing forces are equal in magnitude.

• A. These forces are equal.
• B. The forces are not equal.
• C. Thrust equals lift.
• D. Drag equals weight.

Answer: (A)

In steady, level flight the aircraft moves with constant speed and altitude, so the net force is zero. That means forces that oppose each other along the same axis are equal in magnitude: lift balances weight to hold altitude, and thrust balances drag to hold speed. Therefore saying the opposing forces are equal is the correct description of the balance in level flight. The other ideas don’t fit because they either imply acceleration (forces not equal) or mix forces from different directions (thrust with lift) or compare perpendicular forces (drag with weight) that don’t describe the actual balance that yields no net force.

In steady, level flight the aircraft moves with constant speed and altitude, so the net force is zero. That means forces that oppose each other along the same axis are equal in magnitude: lift balances weight to hold altitude, and thrust balances drag to hold speed. Therefore saying the opposing forces are equal is the correct description of the balance in level flight. The other ideas don’t fit because they either imply acceleration (forces not equal) or mix forces from different directions (thrust with lift) or compare perpendicular forces (drag with weight) that don’t describe the actual balance that yields no net force.