Why is true airspeed used in determining lift? I understand why TAS varies with altitude/density -- it is intuitive that for a given CAS, TAS will increase as altitude increases due to a decrease in density.
Let's use an example: Two cubic meters of air, one at S.L., one at 10,000 ft. MSL. Given the same true airspeed in each block of air, I understand that IAS will be much higher for the block at S.L. But why would lift theoretically not differ between the two (assuming all else equal)? Isn't density the very basis of performance?
Am I thinking of this all wrong?
Let's use an example: Two cubic meters of air, one at S.L., one at 10,000 ft. MSL. Given the same true airspeed in each block of air, I understand that IAS will be much higher for the block at S.L. But why would lift theoretically not differ between the two (assuming all else equal)? Isn't density the very basis of performance?
Am I thinking of this all wrong?