FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)Aerodynamics and PerformanceMedium
A glider with a high-aspect-ratio wing and a fighter jet with a low-aspect-ratio wing generate the same amount of lift at the same airspeed. Compared to the fighter's wing, the glider's wing produces:
- Athe same induced drag, since lift produced is equal
- Bless induced drag because wingtip vortex effects are proportionally reduced
- Cmore parasite drag due to greater total wing area
- Dmore induced drag due to increased wingtip vortex strength
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. less induced drag because wingtip vortex effects are proportionally reduced
High-aspect-ratio wings (long, narrow) have less wingtip vortex influence relative to their span, reducing induced drag for a given amount of lift. This is why gliders use long, slender wings to maximize efficiency, while fighter jets accept higher induced drag in exchange for maneuverability and speed.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Induced drag depends on aspect ratio, not just lift produced.
- C. Parasite drag is not directly tied to aspect ratio in this comparison.
- D. This describes low-aspect-ratio wings, not high-aspect-ratio ones.
Aspect Ratio and Induced Drag
Aspect ratio is the ratio of wingspan to average chord; higher aspect ratio wings produce less induced drag for a given lift because wingtip vortex effects are proportionally smaller.
- High AR = long, narrow wings = low induced drag
- Low AR = short, wide wings = high induced drag
- Gliders favor high AR for efficiency
Memory trick: Long and lean wings leak less drag at the tips.