Is the Coefficient of Lift maximum when operating at max operating speed?

Question

Is the Coefficient of Lift maximum when operating at max operating speed?

Answer 1

No - the coefficient of lift of an aircraft is lowest at maximum speed.  The amount of lift is dependent on the angle of attack of the  airfoil - the greater that angle, the greater the lift and the greater the drag.  To reach maximum speed the airfoil would be operating at the lowest possible angle of attack and coefficent of lift required to maintain level flight.

Answer 2

You have to understand the difference between lift coefficient and lift.

Lift = (Lift coefficient) X (1/2 X air density X velocity squared) X (wing area)

To sustain level flight you need enough lift to equal the aircraft weight.

As you can see from the equation, when you have a lot of speed you don't need a large lift coefficient to generate a lot of lift.  But you do need a large lift coefficient when you go slow; for instance when you're about to land.

Answer 3

By what I have read about CD(Drag Coefficient) is that yes it would be at its maximum at top speed  .Even though you might have ALOT of downforce in the back there can still be lift in the front wich can be a real problem travelling at sppeds over 100mph and a real BIG problem of speeds over 200mph. What you want to do is find the right amount of lift for what you are doing.