NIFE Aerodynamics Practice Exam 2026 - Free Aerodynamics Practice Questions and Study Guide

When flying at maximum endurance airspeed, the aircraft is operating at an angle of attack (AOA) that provides the best lift-to-drag ratio, allowing for the longest flight duration with the least amount of fuel consumed.

If the angle of attack is increased in an attempt to maintain level flight at this airspeed, the aircraft will generate more lift due to the increase in AOA. However, this comes with a trade-off: as AOA increases, the induced drag also increases. To maintain level flight while experiencing this heightened drag, the aircraft must either maintain its current airspeed or increase the power output to counteract the added drag.

In this scenario, maintaining level flight at a higher AOA without increasing airspeed will necessitate an increase in power. Consequently, the correct understanding is that the airspeed will decrease while requiring more power because of the increased drag brought on by the higher angle of attack.

Therefore, the outcome of increasing AOA while trying to keep the aircraft in level flight at maximum endurance airspeed leads to decreased airspeed alongside increased power requirements to overcome the added drag.