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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cap-weight-gravity

Which of the four forces of flight is caused by gravity pulling toward the center of the Earth?

Weight, the downward pull of gravity.

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  1. Weight ✔
  2. Lift
  3. Thrust

Why: Weight is the downward force that every aircraft must overcome to fly. Lift has to equal or beat weight to keep the airplane up.

Huh, didn't know that: The four forces are lift, weight, thrust and drag, and the FAA says weight includes the aircraft, crew, fuel and cargo.

The dad joke
Why did the airplane go on a diet? Weight was holding it back.
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References

Answer: Weight. Weight is the downward force that every aircraft must overcome to fly. Lift has to equal or beat weight to keep the airplane up.

  1. CAP ACE Program: Forces of Flight www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Forces_of_Flight_ACE_grade_5_Lesson_c583bfd3cc38a.pdf
    Weight is the force caused by gravity; the downward force toward the center of the earth.
    Checked 2026-10-10.
  2. FAA Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Chapter 5 www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/07_phak_ch5_0.pdf
    the combined load of the aircraft itself, the crew, the fuel, and the cargo or baggage
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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