In aerodynamics, wing loading is the total weight of an aircraft or flying animal divided by the area of its wing.[1][a] The stalling speed, takeoff speed and landing speed of an aircraft are partly determined by its wing loading.[2]
The faster an aircraft flies, the more its lift is changed by a change in angle of attack, so a smaller wing is less adversely affected by vertical gusts. Consequently, faster aircraft generally have higher wing loadings than slower aircraft in order to avoid excessive response to vertical gusts.[3]
A higher wing loading also decreases maneuverability. The same constraints apply to winged biological organisms.
- ^ "Wing Loading Definition". Merriam Webster.
- ^ a b "Chapter 11: Aircraft Performance". Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25C ed.). Federal Aviation Administration. 17 July 2023. pp. 8–9.
- ^ Wragg, David W. (1973). A Dictionary of Aviation (first ed.). Osprey. p. 281. ISBN 9780850451634.
Cite error: There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or {{efn}} templates on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} template or {{notelist}} template (see the help page).