Jeannette wrote:
Stephen Trapani wrote:

Putting wings on a plane increases aerodynamic drag acting on the
plane, yet it increases the speed, right?

Stephen

I don't know that much but I think this statement is incorrect.

Putting the wings on a plane does not increase the speed. It creates
vertical lift which makes the plane go upward but it has to add to the
drag and in fact slow the plane down. The reduced speed is of no concern
to the plane as long as it doesn't slow it down enough to loose the
lift. It can compensate for the loss of speed by putting more power
anyway and getting more lift in the process which is what it is trying
to do in the first place. As it goes further up it reaches thinner air
which will cause less drag...

In other words, one doesn't put wings on a plane to make it go faster
but to make it go higher..

The wings take the plane off the ground into a different medium,
reducing resistance, increasing the speed. Same thing happens with a
hydrofoil.

Stephen