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The Lift-to-Drag Ratio

Inside this lesson
  • Define the lift-to-drag ratio \(L/D\) and its relation to drag coefficients
  • Derive the conditions for maximum \(L/D\)
  • Calculate the optimal lift coefficient and maximum \(L/D\)

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Educational content covering topics typical of an undergraduate aerospace-engineering curriculum. Not a substitute for accredited coursework, and not suitable for real aircraft or spacecraft design, operation, or maintenance decisions without review by a licensed professional engineer. Regulatory and certification references are descriptive context only. This course is not flight training and is not preparation for any pilot or regulatory examination; the capstone produces an educational paper design only.