1. What is Wing Loading?

Wing loading is the weight of an aircraft divided by the area of its wing. It's a key parameter in aircraft design that affects performance characteristics like stall speed, rate of climb, and maneuverability.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wing loading formula:

Where:

• \( WL \) — Wing Loading (pounds per square foot)
• \( Weight \) — Total aircraft weight (pounds)
• \( Wing\ Area \) — Total wing area (square feet)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much weight each square foot of wing must support during flight.

3. Importance of Wing Loading

Details: Wing loading affects aircraft performance significantly. Higher wing loading generally means higher stall speeds but better performance in turbulence, while lower wing loading improves slow-speed handling and short-field performance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the aircraft's total weight in pounds and wing area in square feet. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical wing loading values?
A: Light aircraft: 10-20 psf, Airliners: 80-150 psf, Fighter jets: 50-130 psf, Gliders: 5-10 psf.

Q2: How does wing loading affect stall speed?
A: Higher wing loading increases stall speed proportionally to the square root of the loading increase.

Q3: What's the relationship between wing loading and maneuverability?
A: Lower wing loading generally allows better maneuverability and tighter turns.

Q4: How does wing loading affect takeoff and landing?
A: Higher wing loading requires longer takeoff and landing distances.

Q5: Can wing loading change during flight?
A: Yes, as fuel is burned and payload changes, though the reference is usually at maximum takeoff weight.