What produces thrust along the line of flight in a glider? After reviewing discussions and vector diagrams of gliders in flight, the vertical lift component and the vertical drag components seem to produce a steady state, 0 acceleration balance with gravity. The glider is on a straight line flight towards the ground. Would the forward motion of the glider be accounted for by combining the horizontal lift vector and gravity? Would any other forces be involved?
V is the airspeed. U and w are the horizontal and vertical components of V. The rest of the vectors are forces; W = weight, K = aerodynamic force, L &amp; D are the orthogonal components of K. Those are all the forces involved in a glide.