Which factors affect drag on an aircraft?

The factors that affect drag on an aircraft primarily involve the interaction of the aircraft with air as it moves through it. Airspeed and surface area are two critical factors that directly influence the amount of drag experienced.

Airspeed has a significant impact on drag because drag increases with the square of the speed. As the aircraft's speed increases, it encounters more air molecules, leading to greater friction and pressure drag. Different phases of flight, such as takeoff, cruising, and landing, require different considerations of airspeed and its relation to drag.

Surface area also plays an essential role in drag. The larger the surface area that the aircraft exposes to the airflow, the more drag it will generate. This is because a larger surface area creates more friction with the air and increases the pressure differences around the aircraft's surfaces.

While factors like weight and altitude influence overall performance and efficiency, they do not directly determine drag in the same way that airspeed and surface area do. Similarly, control surfaces and wing shape are related to lift and maneuverability, while surface material and temperature might affect the performance characteristics of the materials but are not primary factors defining drag. Ultimately, understanding the relationship between airspeed and surface area is crucial for managing drag and optimizing flight performance.