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Q:

How do pilots increase and decrease drag?

A:

There are two types of drag, friction drag and pressure drag. Friction drag depends on the surface area of the plane, and pressure drag depends on the shape of the plane.

 

To increase drag, the plane can have many flaps it can lift vertically, which will help it increase the drag on the airplane, which is useful to help the plane decelerate or roll. To decrease drag, the plane needs to be streamlined, in a tear drop shape, but not so much so as to create too much friction drag.

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