AerodynamicsLift and Drag
Parasite Drag
Parasite drag is a type of drag affecting a subsonic aircraft in flight, consisting of form drag, interference drag, and skin friction drag. Unlike induced drag, parasite drag does not result from the generation of lift, and it increases as airspeed increases.
Key Points
- •Parasite drag consists of three components: form drag, interference drag, and skin friction drag.
- •Parasite drag increases with increasing airspeed.
- •Total aerodynamic drag is at its minimum at the airspeed where parasite drag and induced drag are exactly equal.
Exam Relevance
Understanding parasite drag is crucial for determining the speed for minimum total drag and maximum range.
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