Lift question

[overstress]

I've found the answer. Thanks for all the entertaining replies everyone!

Looking back in my ATPL groundschool & CFS notes (and a littlle bird reminded me) I find that:

Rotation:

Due to body angle and wheel contact, (lift generation begins at nosewheel unstick), thrust assists lift here.

Climb:

As at unstick, there is always a component of thrust 'assisting' lift. Therefore lift cannot be greatest in the climb.

Descent:

There is always a component of gravity present, therefore lift cannot be at a max here either.

Manoeuvre:

There is always a component of thrust or gravity present here (eg a loop)

This leaves the cruise, assumed to be S&L.

In S&L flight, lift=weight. (as thrust=drag)

Weight in the cruise is always at a maximum at the beginning of this phase, due to fuel burn (assuming no Air-Air refueling)

Therefore lift is at a maximum at the instant you level off in the cruise.

Tinstaafl - you were spot on thanks