PHAK · Chapter 5: Aerodynamics of Flight
FAA · Retrieved 2026-09-05
Educational reference; original Owl summariesAERODYNAMICS
Parasite & induced drag
FLIGHT SCIENCE / CONCEPT REFERENCE
SCIENCEConditions & principles
Aerodynamic force acting along and opposite the relative airflow.
REFERENCE COVERAGE3 / 3 editorial sections
PROVENANCE1 linked source
LAST RETRIEVED2026-09-05
Editorial section coverage describes the article structure, not scientific validation or completeness.
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Source editions
PHAK · Chapter 5: Aerodynamics of Flight ↗Edition / snapshot: FAA-H-8083-25C, 2023Retrieved: 2026-09-05
Retrieval dates record when Owl obtained the data; they are not publication dates or proof that a specification is current. Where the edition contains only a snapshot date, the original publication date is not recorded.
01
Mechanism
Skin friction and pressure effects contribute parasite drag. A finite lifting wing also produces induced drag through its three-dimensional wake.
02
Aircraft response
At a fixed lift requirement, induced drag tends to dominate at low speed while parasite drag rises at high speed. Their combination produces a minimum-drag region.
03
Context & interpretation
The simple parabolic polar is an approximation for suitable attached-flow conditions; configuration and compressibility can change it.
Physical relationship
CD = CD0 + CL² / (π e AR)CD0: zero-lift drag coefficient; e: span efficiency; AR: aspect ratio.
Sources & context
Educational explanation of physical mechanisms. Aircraft-specific procedures, limitations and current weather information are separate references.