How can lift-induced drag be overcome?

Lift-induced drag is a type of aerodynamic drag that occurs as a byproduct of generating lift; it increases with the angle of attack and is also influenced by airspeed. One effective method to overcome lift-induced drag is to increase the speed of the aircraft.

When the speed of an aircraft increases, the airflow over the wings becomes more efficient. This results in a decrease in the angle of attack needed to maintain a given level of lift, therefore reducing the lift-induced drag. As a general principle in aerodynamics, maintaining a higher speed allows an aircraft to operate more efficiently, particularly during level flight and during climbs.

While there are other factors at play that can affect overall drag, increasing speed directly helps mitigate the effects of lift-induced drag, making it a critical practice in efficient flight operations.