Climb and glide forces

In a climb or glide, forces line up with the flight path, not the ground.

Climb:

• Thrust > drag required: a weight component acts rearward along the path.
• Rate of climb depends on excess thrust/power, not extra lift. Lift is slightly less than weight.
• Climb angle depends on excess thrust (thrust above level-flight need). None left = absolute ceiling.
• Entry: back-elevator briefly raises AoA and lift above weight. Once the path stabilizes, AoA and lift settle to about level-flight values.

Glide (no thrust):

• Forward weight component along the descending path balances drag.
• Entry: forward pressure briefly lowers AoA and lift below weight. Deliberate flight-path change, not failure to make enough lift.
• Same airspeed as level flight needs less power in a descent: forward weight component grows as descent angle steepens.

Trap: climb does not come from extra lift. It comes from extra thrust/power; lift stays roughly equal to weight.

Practice