Plane flying in a straight line

[justice25]

If an aircraft is flying in a straight line, are there no forces acting on it, or is there an upward force acting on it?

 

[Doc Al]

What do you think? (I assume you mean in a straight line with constant speed.)

What do Newton's laws tell you?

 

[justice25]

Hello, thank you for the reply.

I'm only 11 years old, but I want to be a pilot when I'm older so I'm trying to learn what I can about aerodynamics and I came across this question, please go easy on me

I think from what I've read, that there is equal lift and equal weight, so there is no resultant force, but the question asks "are there any forces acting on the plane?" so I'm just a bit confused about what to answer, thank you for your time.

 

[Doc Al]

I think you've got it: The key is that since the plane is moving in a straight line at constant speed there is no net force on it. But there are certainly forces acting on it. Weight and lift are two of them.

Welcome to PF, by the way.