Variable-incidence wing

A United States Navy fighter aircraft with its landing gear and arrestor hook deployed.
An RF-8 Crusader using its variable-incidence wing during a landing approach

A variable-incidence wing has an adjustable angle of incidence relative to its fuselage. This allows the wing to operate at a high angle of attack for take-off and landing while allowing the fuselage to remain close to horizontal.[1]

The pivot mechanism adds extra weight over a conventional wing and increases costs, but in some applications the benefits can outweigh the costs.

Several examples have flown, with one, the F-8 Crusader carrier-borne jet fighter, entering production.

  1. ^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 272. ISBN 9780850451634.