What is considered the primary source of lift in aviation?

The primary source of lift in aviation is Bernoulli's Principle, which describes the behavior of fluid flow. According to this principle, as the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases. In the context of an airplane wing, air flows faster over the top surface of the wing than it does underneath. This creates a difference in air pressure, resulting in an upward force known as lift.

Understanding lift through Bernoulli's Principle is fundamental to flight mechanics. While Newton's third law contributes to lift generation as well—since the wing deflects air downward, causing an equal and opposite reaction that pushes the wing upward—Bernoulli's principle more directly describes the pressure differences generated during flight. Consequently, the concept of lift primarily aligns with the mechanics outlined in Bernoulli's Principle.

Gravity, while it is a significant force acting on the aircraft, works against lift rather than contributing to it. Thrust is necessary for forward motion but does not directly relate to the generation of lift; it is the lift that enables an aircraft to ascend. Understanding these principles provides a clearer picture of how aircraft achieve and maintain flight.