In steady, level flight, which force is primarily opposite to weight?

• A. Lift
• B. Thrust
• C. Drag
• D. No force is opposite to weight

Answer: (A)

In steady, level flight the airplane isn’t accelerating vertically, so the vertical forces must balance. Weight pulls downward due to gravity, and lift pushes upward from the wings. Lift acts in a direction opposite gravity, countering the weight to keep the airplane from sinking. Because of this vertical balance, lift is the force that primarily opposes weight. The other two horizontal forces, thrust and drag, balance to maintain constant airspeed, but they don’t oppose the weight directly.