Which force counteracts weight during flight?

Lift is the force that counteracts weight during flight. When an aircraft is in the air, its weight, which is the force of gravity acting on it, pulls it downward towards the Earth. To maintain altitude or ascend, the aircraft must generate sufficient lift to overcome this downward force.

Lift is produced primarily by the wings as air flows over and under them, creating differences in pressure. This differential pressure allows the aircraft to rise and stay in the air. If the lift generated is equal to the weight of the aircraft, it will maintain a steady altitude. If the lift exceeds the weight, the aircraft will ascend; if it is less, the aircraft will descend.

The other forces in flight, such as thrust and drag, do not counteract weight directly. Thrust propels the aircraft forward, while drag is the resistance the aircraft encounters moving through the air. Gravity is the force that acts downward, and it is not a force that opposes weight; rather, weight is a measure of the gravitational force acting on the mass of the aircraft. Therefore, lift is the correct answer as it specifically addresses the force that counters weight during flight.