Engineering

Aircraft Wing Design

Fundamentals of aircraft wing design and aerodynamic principles.

Aircraft Wing Design

Wing design is the core of aeronautical engineering. Every design decision is a tradeoff between lift, drag, weight, and structural integrity.

Key Parameters

  • Aspect Ratio — wingspan² / wing area. High = efficient cruise (gliders), low = maneuverable (fighters)
  • Sweep Angle — delays compressibility effects at high speed
  • Airfoil Profile — cross-sectional shape determines lift/drag characteristics
  • Taper Ratio — tip chord / root chord. Affects spanwise lift distribution
  • Dihedral — upward angle from root to tip. Provides roll stability
  • Twist (Washout) — tips at lower angle of attack to prevent tip stall

Design Tradeoffs

GoalSolutionCost
More liftLarger wingMore drag, more weight
Less dragThinner airfoilLess fuel volume, less structural depth
Higher speedMore sweepWorse low-speed handling
More rangeHigher aspect ratioHigher bending loads

Wing Types

  • Straight — simple, good for low speed (Cessna 172)
  • Swept — transonic/supersonic (Boeing 737)
  • Delta — high speed, large area (Concorde)
  • Variable geometry — best of both (F-14 Tomcat)
Original reference on aircraft wing design

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Machinery's Handbook

The Machinery's Handbook and essential machinist tools reference.