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Airfoil Section:

Dihedral: angle of wing above the horizontal

(plus) helps plane stability (as plane rolls, lift from low wing increases)

  • 1-2 degrees is common

  • some research suggests a dihedral on outer 1/3rd has similar effect to full width

(minus) makes wing somewhat more difficult to construct/ simulate performance of

Washout: Angle of incidence decreases towards wingtip

(plus) Favourable stall characteristics: wingtip stalls last, retain aileron control during a stall (can recover)

  • wingroot often has up to 3 degree AOI

  • Wingtip has less (sometimes 0)

(minus) makes wing somewhat more difficult to construct/ simulate performance of

Taper: Length of chord decreases towards wingtip

(plus) improves airfoil efficiency (ideal shape is elliptical)

(minus) makes wing somewhat more difficult to construct/ simulate performance of

Aspect Ratio: Construction/Materials:a measure of wing geometry (slenderness)

  • Ideal varies depending on speed/purpose

    • General Aviation (cessna): 6ish

    • Cargo Aircraft: 10is

    • Gliders: 30ish

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