What flight condition will result in the sum of the opposing forces being equal? (FAA‑H‑8083‑25)
In steady-state, straight-and-level, unaccelerated flight, the sum of the opposing forces is equal to zero. There can be no unbalanced forces in steady, straight flight (Newton’s Third Law). This is true whether flying level or when climbing or descending. It does not mean the four forces are equal. It means the opposing forces are equal to, and thereby cancel the effects of each other.
The flight condition in which the sum of the opposing forces is equal is called steady, unaccelerated flight. This means that the airplane is neither climbing nor descending, and it is not accelerating or decelerating. In this condition, the lift force is equal and opposite to the weight force and the thrust force is equal and opposite to the drag force. Therefore, the airplane can maintain a constant altitude and airspeed without any external input from the pilot.
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