What is the relationship between a forward centre of gravity and the induced drag?

A forward center of gravity has a significant impact on the aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft, particularly regarding induced drag. When the center of gravity is positioned forward, it generally leads to a higher angle of attack being required to maintain level flight. This results in the aircraft operating at a less efficient state, which can increase induced drag.

Induced drag is directly related to the angle of attack; as the angle increases, so does induced drag due to the increased lift forces acting on the wings. However, while a forward center of gravity does necessitate a greater angle of attack for maintaining lift, it can also lead to a more stable flight characteristic, which might contribute to reduced overall drag in certain flight configurations.

Understanding induced drag is crucial for pilots because it impacts fuel efficiency and aircraft performance. While the other options present relationships that might seem plausible, they either misinterpret the effects of center of gravity on drag or inaccurately equate induced drag changes with specific flight regimes, such as climb, which doesn’t capture the broader dynamics of the forward center of gravity's influence.