Parasitic Drag
Resistance to a forward aeroplane movement caused by any non-lifting components of the aeroplane. The fixed undercarriage on most aircraft is one of the main causes of unwanted drag.
PARASITIC DRAG (also called parasite drag) is drag caused by moving a solid object through a fluid medium—or in the case of aerodynamics, a gaseous medium.
Parasitic Drag: The total drag of an aeroplane or glider less the drag which results from the lift of the wings. Sometimes called "non-induced drag."
Parasol Monoplane: A monoplane with the mainplane mounted above the fuselage on struts.
PARASITIC DRAG - A pilot who bums a ride and complains about the service.
RANGE - Usually about 3 miles short of the destination.
RICH MIXTURE - What you order at another pilot's promotion party.
Parasitic drag, which dominates at cruise, of a Boeing 747 wing is only equivalent to that of a 1/2-inch cable of the same length. One might ask what affects the efficiency of a wing.
At any AOA there's a parasitic drag, and an induced drag contribution to the total drag coefficient. Since the AOA is fixed at best glide, so, also, is the lift coefficient.
Parasitic Drag - A pilot who bums a ride back and complains about the service.
Range - Usually about 30 miles beyond the point where all fuel tanks fill with air.
Rich Mixture - What you order at the other guy's promotion party.
An extension of span would lower lift-induced drag, but would increase parasitic drag and would require boosting the strength and weight of the wing. At some point, there is no net benefit from further increased span.
 See also: Aircraft, Plane, Glide, Climb, Drag
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