Types of aircraft wings pdf

Types of planes pdf. Types of aircraft wings. What are the four types of wings on an airplane. What are the different types of wings in an aircraft.

Home > Beginners Guide to Aeronautics NASA-Glenn-Airplane-Parts This page shows the parts of an airplane and their functions.

Airplanes are transportation devices which are designed to move people and cargo from one place to another. Airplanes come in many different shapes and sizes depending on the mission of the aircraft.

The airplane shown on this slide is a turbine-powered airliner which has been chosen as a representative aircraft. Wings For any airplane to fly, one must lift the weight of the airplane itself, the fuel, the passengers, and the cargo. The wings generate most of the lift to hold the plane in the air. To generate lift, the airplane must be pushed through the
air. The air resists the motion in the form of aerodynamic drag. Modern airliners use winglets on the tips of the wings to reduce drag. The turbine engines, which are located beneath the wings, provide the thrust to overcome drag and push the airplane forward through the air. Smaller, low-speed airplanes use propellers for the propulsion
system instead of turbine engines. Vertical and Horizontal Stabilizer To control and maneuver the aircraft, smaller wings are located at the tail of the plane. The tail usually has a fixed horizontal piece, called the horizontal stabilizer, and a fixed vertical piece, called the vertical stabilizer. The stabilizers’ job is to provide stability for the aircraft, to
keep it flying straight.

The vertical stabilizer keeps the nose of the plane from swinging from side to side, which is called yaw. The horizontal stabilizer prevents an up-and-down motion of the nose, which is called pitch. (On the Wright brother’s first aircraft, the horizontal stabilizer was placed in front of the wings. Such a configuration is called a canard after the French
word for “duck”). At the rear of the wings and stabilizers are small moving sections that are attached to the fixed sections by hinges. In the figure, these moving sections are colored brown. Changing the rear portion of a wing will change the amount of force that the wing produces. The ability to change forces gives us a means of controlling and
maneuvering the airplane. The hinged part of the vertical stabilizer is called the rudder; it is used to deflect the tail to the left and right as viewed from the front of the fuselage. The hinged part of the horizontal stabilizer is called the elevator; it is used to deflect the tail up and down. The outboard hinged part of the wing is called the aileron; it is used
to roll the wings from side to side. Most airliners can also be rolled from side to side by using the spoilers. Spoilers are small plates that are used to disrupt the flow over the wing and to change the amount of force by decreasing the lift when the spoiler is deployed. Flaps and Spoilers The wings have additional hinged, rear sections near the body that
are called flaps. Flaps are deployed downward on takeoff and landing to increase the amount of force produced by the wing. On some aircraft, the front part of the wing will also deflect. Slats are used at takeoff and landing to produce additional force. The spoilers are also used during landing to slow the plane down and to counteract the flaps when
the aircraft is on the ground. The next time you fly on an airplane, notice how the wing shape changes during takeoff and landing. Fuselage The fuselage or body of the airplane, holds all the pieces together.

The pilots sit in the cockpit at the front of the fuselage. Passengers and cargo are carried in the rear of the fuselage. Some aircraft carry fuel in the fuselage; others carry the fuel in the wings. As mentioned above, the aircraft configuration in the figure was chosen only as an example. Individual aircraft may be configured quite differently from this
airliner. The Wright Brothers 1903 Flyer had pusher propellers and the elevators at the front of the aircraft. Fighter aircraft often have the jet engines buried inside the fuselage instead of in pods hung beneath the wings. Many fighter aircraft also combine the horizontal stabilizer and elevator into a single stabilator surface. There are many possible
aircraft configurations, but any configuration must provide for the four forces needed for flight. Wing StructureWing configurationTypes of aircraft wingsConclusionAircraft wings are airfoils that generate lift by moving air over them, allowing a plane to get airborne safely. They are an aircraft’s most crucial component and perform additional
functions like holding airplane fuel. Airplane wing construction consists of strong and rigid materials, typically large and heavy structures, to support the weight of an aircraft. Airplane manufacturers used external wing bracing on early planes to reduce the wing’s weight. Modern aircraft have internal structural attachments built into the fuselage
and the wings to support their weight and help bear the aircraft’s aerodynamic and landing loads. Aircraft designers have developed different types of aircraft wings over the years with varying degrees of success. Today, there are around thirty-five types of aircraft wings encompassing different configurations and shapes. You may be able to identify
the difference between certain types of aircraft wings quickly. For example, the wings on a Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane from World War 2 are vastly different from those on a Eurofighter Typhoon fighter. However, the distinction between certain types of aircraft wings isn’t easily distinguishable. This article identifies the different types of
aircraft wings and explains the standard wing configurations and shapes you may find on airplanes. Wing Structure The wings on early airplanes were made from wood and covered with fabric, and it wasn’t until World War 2 that aluminum and magnesium alloy wings became widespread. The wing skin on modern airplane wings has either aviation-
grade aluminum or carbon fiber construction, providing maximum tensile strength during extreme flight conditions.
Aircraft wings consist of two parts, namely, the exterior surface known as the skin and the internal wing. The skin shares part of the wing load stress during flight, shifting the aircraft’s load stress to the inner wing ribs. The internal wing structure consists of stringers and spars that run spanwise and bulkheads or formers and ribs that run from the
leading edge to the trailing edge. The most critical structural internal wing components are the spars. They bear the brunt of concentrated weights and distributed loads of the aircraft’s parts and systems, such as the fuselage, engines, and landing gear.
Most modern aircraft wings have a self-supporting cantilever design and do not require external supports or bracing to stay attached to the plane. The entire wing’s internal structural members and supports are installed inside the airfoil to provide better aesthetics and low drag.
However, some (smaller and lighter) airplanes have external steel struts and wires supporting the wings. Wing configuration A fixed-wing aircraft wing configuration is the arrangement of its lifting and related surfaces.
Aviation engineers classify wing configurations by mounting position and style. You can quickly fathom some aircraft wing configurations by their names. There are seven standard aircraft wing configurations, each type providing different flight characteristics. Low wing configuration – means the wings are mounted on the lower half of the plane
fuselage near the bottom and is a common feature of modern passenger aircraft. Low wing configuration provides pilots with excellent all-round visibility and allows the plane to respond faster to pilot control inputs, thus improving handling and maneuverability. Mid-wing configuration – these types of aircraft wings are mounted halfway between the
top and bottom of the fuselage. The design is rarely seen on commercial airplanes because its support bracing goes directly through the mid-cabin, taking up space. A mid-wing configuration allows for a more balanced and stable aircraft during a flight than a low-wing configuration. However, it offers poor maneuverability and control response. High-
wing configuration – is a type of aircraft wing commonly seen on large cargo and military transport aircraft. The wings are mounted high on the top of the fuselage, allowing the airplane cabin to be located closer to the ground for easier cargo handling. A significant advantage of high-wing configuration is that the wing-mounted engines have
generous ground clearance making the aircraft suitable for operations in unpaved or gravel runways. Dihedral wing configuration – is one of the more complex wing configurations on a fixed-wing aircraft where the wings have an upward angle from the fuselage.

The wing is typically mounted low on the fuselage but angled upwards, resulting in a higher wingtip than the horizontal wing base. The dihedral wing configuration increases the aircraft’s stability during flight and maneuvering. It also allows smaller airplanes to level out faster after a rapid and steep angle takeoff. Sponsored Ad Anhedral wing
configuration – is also known as negative dihedral angle and is the opposite of dihedral angle wing configuration. In this instance, the aircraft wings point downwards from its mounting base. It is common on aircraft with a high wing configuration, and the wings have a downwards angle from the horizontal wing base to the wingtips. Aerospace
engineers use an anhedral wing setup to reduce airplane stability when the aircraft is prone to excessive lateral stability. Gull-wing configuration – is also known as Pulaski wings and drives its name from a seabird with similar wing characteristics. Here, the wing incorporates a dihedral wing design from the horizontal base, which is reduced or
completely flattens after a short distance.
Gull-wing configuration ensures excellent engine ground clearance and pilot visibility. Inverted gull-wing configuration – is the opposite of gull-wing configuration. Here, the inboard wing is mounted at an anhedral angle, with the outer wing section shapely pointing at an upwards angle resulting in higher wingtips than the horizontal wing base. It is
an unusual design commonly found on single-engine piston fighter planes. A significant advantage of the inverted gull-wing configuration is it allows for a shorter undercarriage which improves the overall wing space. Types of aircraft wings Aviation experts categorize airplane wings based on their shape and design. There are eight common types of
aircraft wings, and we will explain them in detail. 1. Rectangular wing This is a basic and easy-to-produce type of aircraft wing that sticks out from an airplane frame at a right angle. Manufacturers often use rectangular wings on small airplanes, and you can easily discern one by its straight edges and non-tapered outline. A primary advantage of a
rectangular wing is its easy construction. However, rectangular wings are aerodynamically ineffective, and airplane manufacturers do not fit them on airplanes anymore. This is primarily due to its broad design, which creates larger wingtip vortices and downwash generating insufficient lift. An example of an airplane using a rectangular wing is the
Piper PA-38. 2. Straight tapered wing A modified rectangular wing where the wing’s chord varies continuously across the wing span, with a change in the depth of the airfoil. The straight tapered wing type of aircraft wing is more aerodynamically efficient than a rectangular wing because the decrease in the chord length across the wing reduces drag
at high speeds providing extra lift. Although slightly more challenging to build than a rectangular wing, the straight tapered wing design offers an excellent trade-off between aerodynamic efficiency and production complexity.
An example of an airplane using a straight tapered wing is the North American P-51 Mustang. 3. Elliptical wing The elliptical wing is one of the most aerodynamically efficient types of aircraft wings on a production airplane. Its leading and trailing edges consist of two equal parts of an ellipse providing elliptical spanwise lift distribution across the
wings to create the lowest drag forces possible during the flight. The elliptical wing thin structure was initially conceived to house ammunition, cannons, and landing gear. However, its highly efficient aerodynamic wing curvature provides excellent lift distribution forcing aircraft designers to adopt elliptical wings as a standard wing design feature on
several aircraft. Elliptical wings are challenging to produce, which is why they are longer used on airplanes. Their design also hides a significant flaw that can cause the entire wing section to stall simultaneously, with the pilot losing control of his aircraft without warning. Examples of airplanes using elliptical wings include the British Supermarine
Spitfire and the Heinkel He 70 “Blitz”. 4. Delta wing A low-aspect-ratio wing suitable for supersonic and high-speed subsonic aircraft. It has a long root chord and a minimal structure outboard for a structurally efficient aerodynamic performance, increased maneuverability, and reduced wing loading. The delta type of aircraft wing provides greater lift
than a swept wing of similar lifting ability, plus they are stronger, lighter, and stiffer. Delta types of aircraft wings are inexpensive to produce and maintain.
And its design provides a deeper structure for storing fuel without encountering significant drag resistance. However, a delta wing needs a high angle of attack to sustain lift during low speeds (typically landing and takeoff), and their low aspect ratio induces drag. There are several variants of the delta wing offering better flight and handling
characteristics. These include: Double delta: is also known as compound delta or cranked arrow. This type of aircraft wing configuration features an uneven leading edge with two sharp angles and a prominent sweepback at its inboard section, creating a stable high-lift vortex without using a foreplane. Excellent examples of aircraft with double delta
type wing configuration include the Swedish SAAB Draken and the prototype General Dynamics F-16XL. Canard delta: is an aircraft wing configuration with a tiny forewing ahead of the main delta wing. Examples include the Eurofighter Typhoon, the French Dassault Rafale fighter jet, and the Swedish SAAB JAS 39 Gripen. Tailed delta: this
configuration includes a conventional tailplane for improved handling characteristics, offering the main delta wing optimum lift capabilities.
A good example is the MiG-21 fighter jet. Cropped delta: this configuration involves cutting off the wingtip of a conventional delta wing to maintain lift on outboard wing surfaces and reduce stalls at high angles of attack. Ogee delta: also known as ogival delta, is a modified delta wing optimized for greater aerodynamic efficiency during low speeds. It
is similar to a compound delta but with a smooth leading edge curvature (ogee curve) merging into a cropped wingtip. A perfect example is the ogival delta wing on the Anglo-French Concorde. Tailless delta: is a delta wing configuration using the movement of the wing’s trailing edge to control the angle of attack.
This configuration is exceptionally lightweight while offering structural simplicity and excellent low aerodynamic drag. Examples of aircraft with the tailless delts setup include the Dassault Mirage III and SAAB 35 DRAKEN.
5. Swept-back wing You are more likely to fly in an airplane with swept-back wings than the other types of aircraft wings. In a swept-back wing design, the wingtips are angled sharply backward from the mounting base.
This wing type reduces drag during transonic speeds and provides aerodynamic efficiency for large commercial airliners. An example of aircraft with swept-back wings is the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. 6. Forward-swept wings This is a type of aircraft wing configuration in which the leading edge has a forward sweep and the quarter-chord line of the
wing sweeps forward.
Forward swept-wing design offers a high degree of maneuverability during subsonic flights with a higher lift-to-drag ratio. Additional benefits of forward-swept wings include improved stall resistance and anti-spin characteristics, high stability during a high angle of attack, low flight speeds, and short take-off and landing distance.
A significant drawback is wing damage due to twisting as it bends under load stress. Examples of aircraft with forward-swept wings include Grumman X-29 Switchblade and the Sukhoi Su-47 Berkut. 7. Trapezoidal wing A trapezoidal wing configuration consists of a swept forward trailing edge with a swept-back leading-edge offering exceptionally low
aerodynamic drag during high speeds. It often combines thin, low aspect ratio, short-span wings, which can be tapered or not, with durable construction, resulting in increased strength and stiffness. Military airplanes use the trapezoidal wing type because it provides excellent handling at supersonic speeds and possesses good stealth attributes. A
perfect example of an aircraft with a trapezoidal wing is the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. 8.
Variable-sweep wing A Variable-sweep wing, also known as “swing-wing,” is a type of aircraft wing with a swept-back feature that can be returned to its initial position. Variable sweep wing configuration provides efficient aerodynamic performance during supersonic flight without sacrificing aircraft stability during low-speed flight periods. The
drawback of a variable-sweep wing is its complex mechanical design requires long maintenance hours. Examples of aircraft with a variable-sweep wing setup include the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark, MiG-27, Tupolev Tu-22M, and the Panavia Tornado. Sponsored Ad Conclusion We bet you have a better understanding of the different types of
aircraft wings, their benefits and disadvantages. Advancements in aeronautics technology mean that we will continue seeing more radical airplane wing designs in the future. Whether can prove as successful and replace the existing wing types is uncertain. One of the key components of any successful aircraft is its propulsion system, and the heart of
that system is the propeller. Here's how airplane propellers work and the different types you may come across! Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Over the years, countless wing configurations have been tried and tested. Few have been successful. Learn about the different types of aircraft wing configurations and see how
each wing type differs from the other, as well as the pros and cons of each.Table of ContentsWing Configurations Wing Structure Types of Aircraft Wings Aircraft wings are airfoils that create lift when moved rapidly through the air. Aircraft designers have created a variety of wings with different aerodynamic properties. Attached to the body of an
aircraft at different angles, these wings come in different shapes. If you are fond of airplanes or interested in learning how planes fly, you may want to learn about different types of aircraft wings or propellers used in aircrafts. So to help you out, we are going to discuss some wing configurations, wing structure and some common types of aircraft
wings. Wing configurations vary to provide different flight characteristics. The amount of lift an aircraft generates, control at different operating speeds, stability and balance all change as the aircraft wing’s shape is changed.
Both the trailing edge and the leading edge of an aircraft wing may be curved or straight or one edge might be curved and the other straight. One or both edges of an aircraft wing can be tapered so that it is narrower at the tip. The wing tip can be pointed, rounded or square. Aircraft wings may be attached at the bottom of the fuselage, mid-fuselage
or at the top. They might extend perpendicular to the fuselage’s horizontal plain or can angle down or up slightly. This angle is called the wing dihedral angle and it affects the aircraft’s lateral stability. Editorial Team Aircraft wings lift it into the air. The particular design of the wings for any aircraft depends on several factors including the desired
speed at takeoff, landing and in flight, the desired rate of climb, use of the airplane, and size and weight of the aircraft.
Aircrafts wings are often of complete cantilever design. What this means is that they are built in such a way that they don’t require any external bracing. They are internally supported by structural members and the aircraft’s skin. In some aircraft wings, external wires or struts are used to support the wing and carry the landing and aerodynamic
loads. Wing support struts and cables are mostly made from steel. Short, almost vertical supports referred to as jury struts are often found on struts that are attached to the aircraft wings at a significant distance from the plane’s fuselage. They subdue strut oscillation and movement caused by the air that flows around the strut during flight. Editorial
Team Aircraft wings are sometimes derived from studying bird wing shapes. Wings are mostly constructed using aluminum but they can also be made using wood covered with fabric. Some aircrafts wings are made using a magnesium alloy. In modern aircrafts, stronger and lighter materials are used in wing constructions and throughout the
airframe. Wings made of carbon fiber also exist and there are also aircraft wings that are made using a combination of materials to provide maximum strength. The internal structures of aircrafts wings are usually made of stringers and spars running spanwise and formers or bulkheads and ribs running chordwise – leading edge to trailing edge. Spars
are important structural members of an aircraft wings. They support distributed loads and concentrated weights like the landing gear, engines, and fuselage. The skin carries part of the load imposed during flight. It is also responsible for transferring the stress to wing ribs. Editorial Team Piper pa-38 The rectangular wing is the simplest to
manufacture. It is a non-tapered, straight wing that is mostly used in small aircrafts. This wing extends out from the aircraft’s fuselage at right angles (approximately). A good example of an aircraft where a rectangular wing was used is the Piper PA 38.
One major disadvantage of a rectangular wing is that it isn’t aerodynamically efficient. Editorial Team Supermarine Spitfire The elliptical wing is aerodynamically most efficient because elliptical spanwise lift distribution induces the lowest possible drag. However, the manufacturability of this aircraft wing is poor. One of the most famous aircrafts in
which elliptical wing was used is the Supermarine Spitfire that ruled the skies during the Battle of Britain. The elliptical wing wasn’t originally designed to minimize drag induction, but rather it was made to house the landing gear along with ammunition and guns inside a wing. So, the wing had to be thin. The ellipse was the shape that allowed for
the thinnest possible wing, giving room inside to hold the necessary things. In aircrafts like the Seversky P-35, we can see a semi-elliptical wing that has a trailing or leading edge elliptical. North American Aviation P-51 Mustang The tapered wing was designed by modifying the rectangular wing. The chord of the wing is varied across the span for
approximate elliptical lift distribution.
While it isn’t as efficient as the standard elliptical wing, it does offer a compromise between efficiency and manufacturability. The P-51 Mustang, which was utilized by the USAAF to fight against the Luftwaffe used the tapered wing. Editorial Team Dassault Mirage 2000 This low aspect ratio wing is used in supersonic aircrafts.
The main advantage of a delta wing is that it is efficient in all regimes (supersonic, subsonic, and transonic). Moreover, this type of wing offers a large area for the shape thereby improving maneuverability and reducing wing loading. The delta wing doesn’t just offer efficient flight experience but is also strong structurally and provides large volume
for fuel storage.
This wing is also simple to manufacture and maintain. However, like any other type of aircraft wing, delta wing also has some disadvantages. The main disadvantages of this aircraft wing include: Due to their low aspect ratio, delta wings induce high drag. At low speed – during landing and takeoff –, these wings have a high angle of attack mainly
because, at such low speeds, vortices generate the lift. High stall angles of the delta wings compensate for this. The Dassault Mirage 2000 is a prime example of an aircraft which uses tailless delta wings. Some aircrafts use tailed delta wings and one of the most famous of those aircrafts is the Russian MiG-21. Editorial Team Eurofighter Typhoon T1
Another variant of delta wing is the cropped delta and it is seen in the Eurofighter Typhoon T1. The tips of this variant are cut off for reducing drag at low speeds.
Another variant of delta wings which is popularly used in combat aircrafts is the double delta. Leading edge angle of the double data isn’t constant but has two values. The light combat aircraft of India known as ‘Tejas’ uses double data wings. Editorial Team Lockheed Martin F 22A Raptor The trapezoidal wing design offers outstanding flight
performance. The trailing edge of the wing sweeps forward while the leading edge sweeps back. This type of wing is commonly used in U.S. combat aircrafts. This configuration offers highly efficient supersonic flights and has good stealth characteristics. The only problem is that the wing loading is high which results in reduced maneuverability. The
trapezoidal wing is used in the famous F-22 Raptor jet. Editorial Team Aerospatiale BAC Concorde The ogive wing design is used in very high-speed aircrafts. The complex mathematical shape of this aircraft wing is derived to minimize drag at supersonic speeds. Ogive wings offer excellent performance at supersonic speeds with minimal drag. The
main disadvantage of these types of aircraft wings is that they are very complex and manufacturing them is difficult. Moreover, their subsonic performance isn’t satisfactory in comparison. The retired Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde used ogive wings. Editorial Team Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner – Steve Lynes The aircraft wings whose leading edges are
swept back are called swept back wings. Swept back wings reduce drag when an aircraft is flying at transonic speeds. The majority of high-speed commercial aircrafts use swept back wings. Boeing 787 Dreamliner is one example out of many that uses swept back wings. Editorial Team Sukhoi SU-47 Berkut The aircraft wings whose leading edges are
swept forward are called swept forward wings. One disadvantage of this type of configuration is that because of the flow characteristics of the wings, the outboard wings stall before the flaps. This can cause controllability issues. Swept forward wings were therefore only used in very few aircraft, like the Grumman X-29 Switch Blade. The main issue
that made this type of wing configuration unsuitable was that it produced wing twisting when it bent under load, putting greater stress on wing roots.
The Sukoi Su-47 Berkut is one of the very few aircraft that used this wing.
Editorial Team General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Swept wings are mostly suitable for high speeds, like supersonic and transonic, while unswept wings work best for low speeds i.e. subsonic. Variable sweep wings were designed to optimize flight experience over a range of speeds. The mechanical complexity is the main issue with this aircraft wing.
General Dynamics F-11 Aardvark is the first aircraft that used variable sweep wings. Editorial Team I hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of types of aircraft wings. Did I miss anything? Any incorrect info? Let me know in the comments! Editorial Team Share on Facebook Share on Pinterest Share on WhatsApp Related Posts