The part of the drag on an aerofoil or aircraft which arises directly from its profile and from skin friction (i.e. the part not attributable to lift).
Origin
1920s; earliest use found in Flight International.
Definition of profile drag in US English:
profile drag
noun
Aeronautics
The part of the drag on an aerofoil or aircraft which arises directly from its profile and from skin friction (i.e. the part not attributable to lift).
Origin
1920s; earliest use found in Flight International.