![]() Taper ratio and the sweepback, or rearward slant of a wing, are two other design ratios used in wing design. The majority of typical GA aircraft have aspect ratios that range anywhere from 5-9 (gross Aspect Ratio) home-builts: 4-7 gliders: 20-35 and supersonics: 3-5. They provide greater maneuverability than wings with high aspect ratios, but what you get in movement, you lose in speed and fuel. Very low aspect ratios result in high wing loadings, high stall speeds, and higher fuel consumption. A decrease in aspect ratio provides a corresponding increase in drag. Low aspect ratios are seen in thick, wide wings. Most training and GA airplanes are operated at high coefficients of lift and require high aspect ratios. Longer wings are not as maneuverable as shorter wings, but they’re best at low speeds and high altitudes, and are usually more forgiving of improper pilot techniques. It’s more aerodynamically efficient, generates more lift with less drag, consumes less fuel, and is ideal for sustained flight in subsonic aircraft. An increase in aspect ratio with constant velocity will decrease drag (induced drag), especially at high angles of attack, improving wing performance in a climbing attitude.Ī thin, long wing for instance has a high aspect ratio and therefore a better lift to drag ratio. Three factors are used in wing design to modify the overall aerodynamic characteristics of flight: aspect ratio, taper ratio, and sweepback.Īspect ratio, the length and breadth of the wing, has an important effect on a wing’s lifting capabilities and drag (Figure 3). The shape and size of a wing greatly affect an aircraft’s performance. It is important to check balance weights at each and every preflight, as flying without balanced controls can spell disaster. If not controlled, flutter can result in damage or failure to not only the stabilizers and the wing itself, but also to the ailerons and elevators, as they’re more prone to this type of dangerous vibration.Īileron balance weights are teardrop shaped and are located at the leading edge of each of the ailerons ahead of the hinge line (typically three on each aileron). However, many pilots are not familiar with the function of balance weights, which are used to balance out an aircraft design in the ailerons (as well as elevators, propellers, and engines) and eliminate or reduce excessive vibration (flutter). Flaps extend outward from the fuselage to near the midpoint of each wing. Ailerons extend from about the midpoint of each wing out-ward toward the tip. Pilots know about the two control surfaces attached to the rear or trailing edges of the wings: ailerons and flaps. One key part of a wing that is often overlooked or unknown is balance weights (Figure 2). The downside to external bracing is additional drag, reduced speed, and less fuel economy, whereas a monoplane is more efficient with the lowest drag. For example, a biplane with its two, strut-braced stiffened wings is lighter and stronger than a single-winged, braced monoplane. Strut-braced wings, in general, stiffen and strengthen the airframe while allowing a lighter overall aircraft. Aircraft with a full cantilever wing structure are much stronger than aircraft using external braces. A few high-wing and most low-wing airplanes have a full cantilever wing that’s designed to carry loads without external bracing. Positioned halfway out on the wing, they help support the wing and carry aerodynamic and landing loads. ![]() Many high-wing airplanes are semi-cantilevered, meaning they have external bracings or struts attached to the fuselage. Here are some general pros and cons of each. Some might argue that the difference in wing placement (high versus low, etc.) is chiefly a personal preference, but there are some important variations in aircraft performance to consider. Read on to learn more about your aircraft wings, the pros and cons, and how to properly inspect them before and after your flight. Critical parts such as pitot tubes and aileron balance weights are often overlooked. In particular, do you know how their shape or design determines the type of flying you experience, or pros and cons of different wing types? Although wings are the “heart of the aircraft,” too often they do not receive a proper pre- or post-flight examination. The Wing’s The Thing How Wing Design Affects Your Ride, and How to Preflight for SafetyĪdmit it - there are things you don’t know, but should know, about aircraft wings.
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