Going to extremes, how about the ISS in low earth orbit? Massive TAS, but no IAS, no lift and no drag. No thrust required to keep it up there (apart from a few squirts occasionally to resist G ravity). Is there any power required? Apparently yes...
That's EXACTLY what I was thinking. Two (minor?) differences, though : the ISS doesn't produce any induced drag and doesn't experience any compressibility effect.
I couldn't find the scene in the Martian where the drone flies, but I think it has a piston engine. If yes, the article would then make sense, right ? I understand trying to fly with a piston engine at FL100 might be difficult.