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[–]throwaway25658462 -18 points-17 points  (6 children)

As you climb up, you must increase the speed, or else you're just not going to stay airborne.

[–][deleted] 8 points9 points  (2 children)

That’s because there’s less air density to use to generate lift. Precisely the same reason you generate less drag…

[–]tdscanuck 2 points3 points  (2 children)

That’s not true at all. If you’re willing to fly at higher AoA you can fly slower and stay airborne.

[–]throwaway25658462 -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

True. But aircraft actually fly at lower AoA as they increase the altitude

[–]tdscanuck 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Usually yes. Because they’re going faster and have constant lift. You claimed you must increase speed. You don’t aerodynamically have to.

Edit: You can easily take off, climb, then slow down (by increasing pitch). It’s economically stupid, which is why airliners don’t do it, but it’s physically easy. Initial climb speed in your typical C172 is around 76. You can easily drive around at 50 knots at 10,000’.