Power Curve & Region of Reversed Command

Power Curve & Region of Reversed Command

Parasite drag increases with the square of speed, while lift-induced drag is higher at lower speed. The bottom of the curve is the L/Dmax speed. Flying at very slow speeds requires high angle of attack (AoA, or alpha), so it takes more power to fly slower — the region of reversed command. Inside this region, altitude is controlled with power and airspeed with pitch. Drag the speed across the chart and watch the power change. ↑ use the density altitude from above

Educational estimates only — not for flight planning, dispatch, or weight-and-balance. Always fly the numbers in your POH and current official weather.