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An airplane in flight is the center of a continuous tug of war between four forces: lift, gravity force or weight, thrust, and drag.
The weight pulls down on the plane opposing the lift created by air flowing over the wing.
Thrust is generated by the propeller and opposes drag caused by air resistance to the frontal area of the airplane.
During take off, thrust must overcome drag and lift must overcome the weight before the airplane can become airborne.
In level flight at constant speed, thrust exactly equals drag and lift exactly equals the weight or gravity force.
For landings thrust must be reduced below the level of drag and lift below the level of the gravity force or weight.