What is the force that opposes gravity and allows an aircraft to rise and remain airborne

The force that opposes gravity and allows an aircraft to rise and remain airborne is called lift. Here's how it works:

1. An aircraft moves forward due to the thrust produced by its engines. This forward motion pushes air over the wings.

2. The wings of an aircraft are designed in a special shape - flat at the bottom and curved at the top. This shape is known as an airfoil.

3. When air flows over the wings, it moves faster over the curved top surface and slower beneath the flat bottom surface. This creates a pressure difference.

4. The pressure is higher beneath the wing and lower on top of the wing. This difference in pressure creates an upward force known as lift.

5. When the lift force is greater than the weight of the aircraft due to gravity, the aircraft rises. If the lift and weight are equal, the aircraft cruises at a constant altitude.

6. By adjusting the thrust (speed) and the angle of the wings (angle of attack), pilots can control the amount of lift and thus the altitude of the aircraft.