What is induced drag?

Induced drag is an aerodynamic force that occurs as a direct result of generating lift. When an aircraft wing produces lift, it causes the airflow around the wing to create vortices or turbulence at the wingtip. This manipulation of airflow leads to a reduction in the efficiency of the lift generated, thereby producing additional drag known as induced drag. The key factor here is that induced drag is inherently linked to lift; as the angle of attack increases—resulting in more lift—induced drag also increases.

Understanding the nature of induced drag is essential for pilots and engineers, as it significantly influences an aircraft's performance, particularly during takeoff and landing phases. In contrast, drag caused by the shape of the aircraft refers to profile or parasitic drag, and drag that decreases with speed relates to the behavior of drag types in various flight profiles, which does not apply to induced drag. Additionally, induced drag is not limited to descent; it occurs whenever lift is being generated under various flight conditions.