1. Parasite Drag:
- Also known as "form drag," parasite drag is the drag caused by the aircraft's shape and surface irregularities. It includes:
- Skin friction drag: Friction between the aircraft's surface and the air.
- Pressure drag: Drag created due to the difference in air pressure between the front and back of the aircraft.
- Interference drag: Drag generated due to the interference of airflow between different components of the aircraft, such as the wing and fuselage.
2. Induced Drag:
- Induced drag is produced when an aircraft generates lift. It is created by the pressure difference between the upper and lower surfaces of the wing. The greater the lift generated, the higher the induced drag.
3. Wave Drag:
- Wave drag occurs when an aircraft flies at transonic or supersonic speeds. It is caused by the formation of shock waves due to the aircraft's interaction with the sound barrier.
4. Compressibility Drag:
- Compressibility drag is related to wave drag but occurs at subsonic speeds. It is caused by the compression of air around the aircraft's surfaces as it approaches the speed of sound.
5. Trim Drag:
- Trim drag is induced drag caused by the aircraft's need to maintain a specific pitch attitude. It arises when the aircraft's center of gravity is not in line with the center of lift.
6. Cooling Drag:
- Cooling drag is the drag generated by the cooling systems of aircraft engines. It is caused by the need to dissipate heat generated by the engines.
7. Landing Gear Drag:
- Landing gear drag is the drag caused by the presence of the aircraft's landing gear. It is particularly significant during takeoff and landing when the landing gear is deployed.
Understanding and minimizing these types of drag is essential for efficient aircraft design, performance optimization, and achieving better fuel economy.
