In a steady climb, the lift compared to weight is which of the following?

• A. Lift equals weight
• B. Lift less than weight
• C. Lift greater than weight
• D. Lift is zero

Answer: (B)

During a steady climb, there is no vertical acceleration, so forces in the vertical direction must balance. Lift acts upward, weight acts downward, and the engine’s thrust, tilted upward with the nose up, has a vertical component that also helps support the aircraft. Because this vertical component of thrust shares the load, lift does not have to support the entire weight. Therefore the lift produced by the wings is less than the total weight. If lift equaled weight, there would be no role for thrust’s vertical component; if lift were greater than weight, there would be a net upward acceleration; and if lift were zero, the aircraft couldn’t sustain a climb.