How does drag behave in level flight?

In level flight, drag is primarily a force that opposes the forward motion of the aircraft and acts through the center of pressure. The center of pressure is the point on the wing where the total aerodynamic pressure acts, resulting from the distribution of lift and drag forces across the wing surface.

When an aircraft is in level flight, the lift produced must equal the weight, and the thrust must equal the drag for the aircraft to maintain a steady altitude and speed. The drag force affects the overall aerodynamic performance and can influence the aircraft’s equilibrium. Since lift and drag are both aerodynamic forces resulting from the airflow around the aircraft, they are intricately connected to the aircraft's center of pressure rather than the center of gravity, which is related to gravitational forces.

This understanding is crucial, as it helps in analyzing the stability and control of the aircraft during different phases of flight. Such insights inform pilots and engineers about how changes in configuration, like flaps or speed changes, can affect overall drag and consequently the performance of the aircraft in level flight.