SHORT COURSE: Thrust, Drag, and the Power Curve

This aviation training short course covers the relationship between thrust, drag, and the power curve. It identifies the three types of parasite drag and discusses how parasite drag and induced drag vary with airspeed. It shows how the two kinds of drag make up total drag. The concept of the power curve is discussed in relation to drag. Maximum level flight airspeed and the power-on stall speed are discussed in relation to the power curve. Finally, the area of excess horsepower is identified and related to rate-of-climb. This entire short course can be completed in less than 15 minutes.

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