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Instrument Flying Handbook Menu>Aerodynamic
Factors>Lift
Lift always acts in a
direction perpendicular to the relative wind and to the lateral
axis of the aircraft. The fact that lift is referenced to the
wing, not to the Earth’s surface, is the source of many
errors in learning flight control. Lift is not always “up.”
Its direction relative to the Earth’s surface changes
as you maneuver the aircraft.
The magnitude of the force of lift is directly
proportional to the density of the air, the area of the wings,
and the airspeed. It also depends upon the type of wing and
the angle of attack.Lift increases with an increase in angle
of attack up to the stalling angle, at which point it decreases
with any further increase in angle of attack. In conventional
aircraft, lift is therefore controlled by varying the angle
of attack (attitude) and thrust.
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