Which parameter can be adjusted to reduce lift-induced drag?

Which parameter can be adjusted to reduce lift-induced drag?

• A. Angle of Attack (AOA)
• B. Airspeed
• C. Wing area
• D. Flaps

Answer: (A)

Lift-induced drag comes from the wing having to produce lift, which creates wingtip vortices. The amount of lift generated is controlled by how the wing meets the airflow, i.e., the angle of attack. By reducing the angle of attack, the wing produces less lift, which weakens the wingtip vortices and lowers the induced drag associated with lifting. In practice, this is the most direct way to lessen lift-induced drag when adjusting flight conditions. (Keep in mind that to maintain altitude at a lower angle of attack you'd typically need to increase speed, but the parameter you adjust to reduce the lift-induced component itself is the angle of attack.)

Lift-induced drag comes from the wing having to produce lift, which creates wingtip vortices. The amount of lift generated is controlled by how the wing meets the airflow, i.e., the angle of attack. By reducing the angle of attack, the wing produces less lift, which weakens the wingtip vortices and lowers the induced drag associated with lifting. In practice, this is the most direct way to lessen lift-induced drag when adjusting flight conditions. (Keep in mind that to maintain altitude at a lower angle of attack you'd typically need to increase speed, but the parameter you adjust to reduce the lift-induced component itself is the angle of attack.)