Aircraft wings are meant to generate lift to counter its own weight. If you're unclear on the physics of how an aircraft generates lift, it is first recommended to read that over here: How-does-an-aircraft-generate-lift
Every aircraft is designed and manufactured for a specific purpose defined by a lucid set of requirements.
Based on the specific purpose and mission profile (what needs to be done by an aircraft) will give the designer the authority to design an aircraft which will aim to meet the requirements.
For example the purpose could be to design an aircraft for transporting passengers from point A to point B or could be to design an aircraft for achieving air superiority over other fighter jets.
Whatever the case maybe, one thing is for sure, for a specific purpose there exist a specific aircraft and one of the difference in them is their Wing Configuration.
Wing Configurations vary for providing different flight characteristics.
The amount of lift an aircraft generates, control at different speeds, stability etc. changes with change in wing configuration.
Moreover, the wing configuration for any aircraft depends on numerous factors including desired speed at take-off, cruise and landing, rate of climb, use of the plane etc.
Aircraft wings often employ the cantilever design (one end is fixed and other end is free) and do not require external bracing.
If you're unclear on the structural aspect of wings, it is recommended to read that over here: Aircraft-Wing-Structure
Based on the specific purpose and mission profile (what needs to be done by an aircraft) will give the designer the authority to design an aircraft which will aim to meet the requirements.
For example the purpose could be to design an aircraft for transporting passengers from point A to point B or could be to design an aircraft for achieving air superiority over other fighter jets.
Whatever the case maybe, one thing is for sure, for a specific purpose there exist a specific aircraft and one of the difference in them is their Wing Configuration.
Wing Configurations vary for providing different flight characteristics.
The amount of lift an aircraft generates, control at different speeds, stability etc. changes with change in wing configuration.
Moreover, the wing configuration for any aircraft depends on numerous factors including desired speed at take-off, cruise and landing, rate of climb, use of the plane etc.
Aircraft wings often employ the cantilever design (one end is fixed and other end is free) and do not require external bracing.
If you're unclear on the structural aspect of wings, it is recommended to read that over here: Aircraft-Wing-Structure
Following are the different types of wing employed on different aircraft: These are based on the how shape of the wings look like when viewed from top (Planform Shape).
Categories of Aircraft Wing (Based on Planform Shape)
1. Rectangular Wing
As the name suggests, when viewed from the top, the wing is rectangular in shape. Following is a figure of an aircraft given below employing a rectangular wing.
As the name suggests, when viewed from the top, the wing is rectangular in shape. Following is a figure of an aircraft given below employing a rectangular wing.
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| Piper PA-38 Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Piper_PA-38-112_Tomahawk_F-GOFC_in_flight.jpg License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en Credit: Simon Schoeters | Photographer |
Although the rectangular wings are not a headache when it comes to manufacturing them (they are the simplest to manufacture), the aerodynamic efficiency of rectangular wings is somewhat less compared to any other type.
The reason for its aerodynamic inefficiency is because rectangular wings contribute to more drag (induced drag - occurs due to airflow leaking from the tips of a wing) and more drag means increase in fuel consumption.
Because of aerodynamic inefficiency, rectangular wings are typically used for low-performance airplanes.
The reason for its aerodynamic inefficiency is because rectangular wings contribute to more drag (induced drag - occurs due to airflow leaking from the tips of a wing) and more drag means increase in fuel consumption.
Because of aerodynamic inefficiency, rectangular wings are typically used for low-performance airplanes.
2. Tapered Wing
As the name suggests, the wings are tapered i.e the chord length (distance between leading edge and trailing edge of aerofoil) varies along the span of the wing.
One can simply say, tapered wings are a modification of the rectangular wing.
Following is a figure of an aircraft employing a tapered wing.
One can simply say, tapered wings are a modification of the rectangular wing.
Following is a figure of an aircraft employing a tapered wing.
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| P-51 Mustang Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P51_Mustang_-_CHino_Airshow_2014_(14349568311).jpg License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en Credit: Airwolfhound | Photographer |
In contrast to a rectangular wing, when the tips aerofoil gets smaller compared to the root aerofoil, the drag reduces.
The reason for reduction in drag is due to less leakage of airflow from the tips of a tapered wing hence reducing the induced drag.
Although, with benefits of drag reduction, the tip aerfoils tend to stall first (sudden loss of lift). Ailerons (control surface on wing) thus loose their control effectiveness since they are placed outboard of the wing which can be catastrophic.
In order to prevent loss of control effectiveness, Washout is employed (the angle of attack of aerfoil decreases from root to tip). In layman language, the wing is twisted.
The reason for reduction in drag is due to less leakage of airflow from the tips of a tapered wing hence reducing the induced drag.
Although, with benefits of drag reduction, the tip aerfoils tend to stall first (sudden loss of lift). Ailerons (control surface on wing) thus loose their control effectiveness since they are placed outboard of the wing which can be catastrophic.
In order to prevent loss of control effectiveness, Washout is employed (the angle of attack of aerfoil decreases from root to tip). In layman language, the wing is twisted.
3. Elliptical Wing
As the name suggests, the shape of the wing when viewed from top is an ellipse. Following is a figure of an aircraft given below employing an elliptical wing.
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| Spitfire Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Supermarine_Spitfire_Mk_XVI.jpg License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/deed.en Credit: Chowells | Photographer |
Elliptical wing is considered to be the most aerodynamically efficient owing to an elliptical spanwise lift distribution.
This means that variation of lift along the span will be in the shape of an ellipse. What it does is, the induced drag is reduced significantly (minimum for a given aspect ratio) compared to any planform shape hence the most aerodynamically efficient wing.
Although it is aerodynamically efficient, the manufacturing of elliptical wings is a complicated task since the wing skin needs to be curved in all directions and is much heavier than a tapered wing.
Moreover, elliptical wings are also susceptible to loss of control effectiveness as a consequence of wing stalling.
Further information on wing configurations will be discussed in part-2.
This means that variation of lift along the span will be in the shape of an ellipse. What it does is, the induced drag is reduced significantly (minimum for a given aspect ratio) compared to any planform shape hence the most aerodynamically efficient wing.
Although it is aerodynamically efficient, the manufacturing of elliptical wings is a complicated task since the wing skin needs to be curved in all directions and is much heavier than a tapered wing.
Moreover, elliptical wings are also susceptible to loss of control effectiveness as a consequence of wing stalling.
Further information on wing configurations will be discussed in part-2.
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