What is induced drag?

Induced drag is defined as the drag that occurs as a direct result of the generation of lift by an aircraft’s wings. When an airplane flies, the wings create lift to counteract the weight of the airplane. However, this lift is not gained without some consequences. The process of generating lift comes with the creation of vortexes at the wingtips, which result in a rearward force known as induced drag.

This drag is most significant at lower speeds when the angle of attack is higher to maintain sufficient lift. As the angle of attack increases, the lift increases, but so does the induced drag. Understanding induced drag is essential for pilots, as it affects performance parameters, especially during takeoff and landing phases.

The other options refer to different types of drag or aerodynamic effects: fuselage drag is related to the body of the aircraft, interruptions in airflow typically associate with form drag, and the concept of drag at higher speeds is related to parasitic drag—none of which define induced drag accurately.