The chord of the wing can affect which of the following flight characteristics?

The correct choice highlights that the chord of the wing directly impacts both lift and drag, which are essential aerodynamic characteristics that influence flight performance. The chord is the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge of a wing and plays a crucial role in determining how air flows over the surface of the wing.

When the chord length increases, the wing can generate more lift because a larger surface area interacts with the airflow, allowing the wing to produce a greater amount of lift at a given angle of attack. However, an increase in chord length can also lead to higher drag due to increased surface area, which creates more resistance against the forward motion of the aircraft.

This relationship between chord length, lift, and drag is fundamental to understanding aircraft design and performance. Adjustments in the wing's chord can help optimize the balance between sufficient lift for various phases of flight and minimizing drag to improve efficiency and speed. Therefore, recognizing the chord's impact on both lift and drag is critical for the effective operation and control of an aircraft.