Parasite Drag

Mathematics

Additional resources to
Read:
ANA:
Friction Effects 52-59
Parasite Drag 87-92

Overview
Equivalent parasite area, f sq ft
DP vs. Configuration
DP vs. Velocity
DP vs. Altitude

Equivalent Parasite Area

D = cd S q
Dp= cdpSq

Dp = lbs of force

necessary (thrust) to
"push" the a/c through air
and overcome all types of
Dp.

How big would a flat plate

or barn door have to be to

require the same force to
push it through the air as
the Dp for a given a/c?

Barn Door drag

Equivalent parasite area or equivalent flat plate
area. f = cdp S in sf

Then Dp = f q

Dp and configuration
DP1 = parasite drag

corresponding to some
original parasite area, f1.
DP2 = parasite drag
corresponding to some
new parasite area, f2. (V, S,
and are constant.)

Lowering landing gear and

flaps may increase f and
Dp by 80%.

Dp and Velocity
Double the V, quadruple

the Dp. Half the V, quarter

the Dp.

Dp and Altitude
The general effect of

altitude on parasite drag at

a constant KTAS is
expressed by:

DP1 = parasite drag

corresponding to some
original altitude density
ratio, 1.

DP2 = parasite drag

corresponding to some
new altitude density ratio,
2.

(f, VKTAS, and S are

constant)