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AerodynamicsQuestion 437 of 934

An airplane slows down in level flight. What happens to the induced drag?

  1. It decreases, because the angle of attack falls
  2. It stays the same, because lift stays the same
  3. It becomes zero, because the wing nears a stall
  4. It increases, because the angle of attack rises
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Correct answer: It increases, because the angle of attack rises

The lower the airspeed, the greater the AOA needed for lift equal to weight. A greater AOA means more induced drag.

Source: Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C), Chapter 5: Aerodynamics of Flight — Induced Drag, page 105

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Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026