Drag in climb refers to the aerodynamic force that acts opposite to the direction of motion of an aircraft while it is ascending vertically or at an upward angle (climbing). Drag is one of the aerodynamic forces that an aircraft must overcome during climb to maintain a positive rate of climb.
D = (1/2) ρ V^2 s Cdc
- D: Drag Force. It is the aerodynamic force acting on the aircraft in the direction opposite to the flight path. Drag resists the aircraft’s forward motion and is one of the main factors that determine the aircraft’s speed and fuel consumption.
- ρ: Air Density. It represents the mass of air per unit volume and varies with altitude and atmospheric conditions.
- V: True Airspeed. It is the actual speed of the aircraft relative to the surrounding air.
- s: Reference Area. It is the planform area perpendicular to the airflow, usually taken as the wing area in the context of aerodynamic calculations.
- Cdc: Drag Coefficient. It is a dimensionless parameter that quantifies the aerodynamic efficiency of the aircraft’s shape and configuration. The drag coefficient depends on the aircraft’s design, airfoil shape, and other aerodynamic characteristics.