Question

A 14,000-kg airplane is in steady flight in the vertical plane. The flight path angle is γ = 10°, the angle of attack is α  = 4°, and the thrust force exerted by the engine is T = 60 kN. What are the magnitudes of the lift and drag forces acting on the airplane?

Answer 1

Let us draw a more detailed free body diagram to see the angles involved more clearly. Then we will write the equations of equilibrium and solve them. 

W = mg =(14,000)(9.81 N)

The equilibrium equations are

T = 60 kN = 60000 N

Solving, we get

D = 36.0 kN, L = 131.1 kN