What type of flight is described as straight and level, unaccelerated flight with all forces in balance?

• A. Steady-State Flight
• B. Transient Flight
• C. Hovering Flight
• D. Cruise Flight

Answer: (A)

Steady-state flight occurs when the aircraft flies straight and level with no acceleration and forces in balance. In this state lift equals weight and thrust equals drag, so there is no net force or moment and the speed and altitude stay constant. That’s exactly what “straight and level, unaccelerated flight with all forces in balance” describes. Transient flight involves acceleration or deceleration when forces aren’t balanced. Hovering isn’t translating through space, so it isn’t straight and level forward flight. Cruise flight is forward, level flight at constant speed and altitude, which is a form of steady-state flight, but the description points to the general condition of steady-state.