Drone Pilot Practice Exam

In typical flight scenarios, what equalizes thrust and drag?

1. When ascending

2. When cruising at a constant speed

3. When descending

4. During aggressive turns

The correct answer is: When cruising at a constant speed

In typical flight scenarios, the condition that equalizes thrust and drag occurs when cruising at a constant speed. During this phase of flight, the aircraft is maintaining a stable altitude and velocity, which means that the thrust produced by the engines is balanced by the drag acting against the aircraft's motion. This equilibrium allows the aircraft to fly efficiently without gaining or losing altitude. The forces are effectively balanced, so the pilot does not need to make adjustments to maintain that constant speed. In contrast, during ascending or descending, the thrust and drag are not equalized as the aircraft is actively climbing or descending, requiring adjustments in thrust to overcome gravity and change altitude. Similarly, during aggressive turns, the flight dynamics change—especially in regard to the lift and additional drag incurred during the maneuver—leading to an imbalance between thrust and drag that requires corrective actions from the pilot.