What factors comprise total drag on an aircraft?

Total drag on an aircraft is a comprehensive assessment that includes all forms of resistance that an aircraft experiences as it moves through the air. The correct answer outlines three key components: profile drag, induced drag, and parasite drag.

Induced drag is the result of lift generation; it increases with an increase in angle of attack and decreases as speed increases. Profile drag, on the other hand, encompasses skin friction and form drag, both of which contribute to the total drag encountered by the aircraft. Skin friction is the resistance generated by the air particles coming into contact with the aircraft's surface, while form drag arises due to the shape of the aircraft affecting airflow.

Parasite drag is a term that includes both form drag and skin friction, reflecting drag that is independent of the aircraft's lift production. When an aircraft travels through the air, all of these factors combine to create the total aerodynamic drag. By correctly identifying profile drag, induced drag, and parasite drag as the components of total drag, one develops a better understanding of the aerodynamic forces at play during flight.