Everyday journeys
Flight
An aircraft moves through a constant interaction of forces.
Lift, weight, thrust and drag act on an aircraft. How they balance helps explain changes in its motion.
A closer look
The picture, in three parts.
Push
Thrust acts against the resistance of drag.
Support
Lift acts against weight.
Balance
Changes in the forces change the aircraft’s motion.
Where could this take you next?
Sources & further reading +
Short explanations, grounded in published sources. Follow the originals for depth and context.
Sources checked: 10 September 2026. Visuals are illustrations, not documentary evidence.
Our approach to sources and corrections