Aerodynamic force is exerted on a body by the air (or some other gas) in which the body is immersed, and is due to the relative motion between the body and the gas. Aerodynamic force arises from two causes: [1] [2] [3]
When an airfoil (or a wing) is moving relative to the air it generates an aerodynamic in a direction at an angle with the direction of relative motion. This aerodynamic force is commonly resolved into two components:[4][5]
The force created by a propeller or a jet engine is called thrust and it is also an aerodynamic force (since it also acts on the surrounding air). The aerodynamic force on a powered airplane is commonly resolved into three components: thrust, lift and drag.[6][7]
The remaining other force acting on a glider or powered airplane during flight is its weight. Note that weight is a body force, and it is not an aerodynamic force.