Originally Posted by
B2N2
Why would an aircraft add to the weight of the atmosphere as it's developing lift and and not actually resting or sliding along an area of air excerting pressure on it?
As the aircraft develops lift, it exerts a force downward on the airmass equal to its weight. So it
is "actually resting or sliding along an area of air excerting pressure on it."
But the atmosphere under the aircraft is not sealed on the side, so it escapes sideward and upward until it reaches equilibrium.