“Aerodynamics is not a dark art revealed only to a chosen few by a great god of flight. This can be understood by almost everyone, if explained correctly. It can become interesting, even downright fascinating. (Smith, 1992, p. xiii) Not only can aerodynamics become interesting, but it can become an incredibly useful tool for making decisions. Aerodynamics can get complicated and involved, just like math. I've never heard of anyone refusing to learn addition and subtraction simply because advanced calculus was too complicated. Likewise, you don't have to understand the minute details of aerodynamics for science to be a useful tool. The four forces of flight, based on laws discovered by scientists, are perhaps the most fundamental elements of aviation aerodynamics. (Kershner, 2003) Understanding these principles and how they interact with each other can help those in the aviation field make decisions and carry out their work. Basic Aerodynamics of Flight The study of aerodynamics focuses on how air moves and the forces it creates on an object. it moves through the air. (Willits, 2007) Understanding the aerodynamic forces at work on any object can help explain the object's actions. The airplane as a whole is an object that air acts on, so aerodynamics are essential. Airplanes fly because of their ability to use aerodynamics to their advantage. These are the forces that allow a plane to leave the ground and maintain flight. The basics of flight can be explained with the four forces acting on an aircraft: lift, weight, thrust and drag. The four forces interact with each other and contribute to the stability, maneuverability and controllability of an aircraft. Lift is produced by dynamics......middle of document......which understands the relationship between lift and drag will potentially be in a better position to assist an aircraft in an emergency situation.ConclusionAlmost All decisions involving an aircraft are either going to be affected by the four forces of flight or alter those forces in some way. These forces are governed by the laws of nature, but can be manipulated to create conditions beneficial to a particular mission. Understanding these forces will allow managers, workers, pilots and crew to make the decisions necessary to achieve the required performance from their aircraft. This understanding is not always the case and is often incorrectly passed down from generation to generation. (Smith, 1992) An accurate basic knowledge of how an aircraft interacts with the air around it will enable those who possess it to make informed decisions as aviation professionals..