How is total drag on an aircraft calculated?

Total drag on an aircraft is calculated as the sum of induced drag and parasitic drag. Induced drag is a byproduct of lift generation, and it increases as the angle of attack increases, while parasitic drag encompasses all other forms of drag that oppose the aircraft's motion through the air, including form drag, skin friction, and wave drag.

By understanding that total drag is a combination of these two drag components, one can see how it varies with different flight conditions. For example, at low speeds or high angles of attack, induced drag becomes significant, while at high speeds, parasitic drag dominates. This concept is integral to understanding how aircraft performance can be optimized and how fuel efficiency can be improved during flight operations.

The other methods mentioned—like measuring lift and fuel consumption or combining thrust and weight calculations—do not directly relate to the calculation of total drag but rather to different performance and operational parameters of the aircraft.