Extending the landing gear will cause the position of the total drag curve to move in which direction?

• A. Up and Left
• B. Up and Right
• C. Down and Left
• D. Down and Right

Answer: (A)

Extending the landing gear increases parasite drag, the component of drag that comes from objects exposed to the airstream. The total drag is the sum of parasite drag and induced drag, so adding gear raises the parasite portion across all flight speeds. That lifts the entire drag curve upward.

At the same time, the speed where total drag is minimized shifts because the balance point between parasite drag (which rises with gear extensions) and induced drag moves. With higher parasite drag, the minimum-D speed occurs at a lower velocity, so the curve shifts to the left on the speed axis.

Put together: the total drag curve moves upward and to the left.