In article ,
"xerj" wrote:

Thrust from a propeller drops as speed increases to a theoretical zero. When
this happens, what is providing the thrust to overcome drag? The forward
momentum of the aircraft?

If so, is it a case of the speed very slightly and imperceptibly dipping
below the zero thrust speed, getting a little thrust to bring it back to the
zero-thrust condition and doing this over and over again?

Thanks in advance.



On a reciprocating engine, you have only so much power available. In
level flight:

Power = Thrust * Velocity. Or: Thrust = Power/Velocity.

If you go faster, thrust decreases to meet power. Thrust, theoretically,
will not go to zero, but will equal drag, which increases with the
square of velocity.

If you dive, thrust is added by the weight of the aircraft * sine of the
dive angle.

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