Chris-_-Memphis

My Feedback: (3)

a plane w. a wing area of 1100 sq in. will float more on landing but will also get pushed around more by the wind gusts than a 900sq in plane???

does the length of the wings after into this also...



Where are you ole' wise -MinnFlyer- ?!?!?!?

tailskid

My Feedback: (34)

Wing area isn't as much an important number as is wing loading (or better yet wing VOLUME). If the models weigh the same, the larger wing AREA plane should glide longer than a smaller wing area -PROVIDING the wing loading is 'reasonable'. A 5 lb trainer with a wing area of (say) 700 sq. in. will have a lighter loading, hence a longer glide while landing USUSALLY. A lot has to do with the airfoil, CG and pilot ability. On the other hand, a lighter wing loaded planes, the more it will be effected by the high winds while flying. I think

Jerry

Tired Old Man

My Feedback: (1)

Everything's relative when it comes to wing area. A 7 pound airplane with 600 inches of wing area will probably not get pushed around much by the wind. On the other hand, a 1 pound plane with 600 inches of area would be quite a "floater" and would be at the mercy of winds in excess of light and variable.

It all boils down to wing loading. The higher the loading, more weight to area, the better the plane will penetrate wind or handle windy conditions. Fuselage types have an effect here as well. An Extra fuselage will handle wind better than trainer type fuselages will.

You have to balance everything to your needs and desires. Flight styles have much to do with aircraft types, wing planforms, and wing loading. Higher performance will usually require higher wing loading, more weight to wing area. Trainers have higher wing area but a lower loading (weight) in relationship to that area.

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

Who? ME?

Actually, between Tailskid, and Silversurfer's replys, there's not much more to say. The only thing I will add is that wingtip shape will also have an effect. (I.E. an eliptical wing would be less effected by a cross wind than a straight wing.)

Chris-_-Memphis

My Feedback: (3)

LOL ... thanks guys.. eliptical means .. sorta slanted ..right??

ZimboRaider

Rememebr the Spitfire Chris, It had that strange looking, crescent sorta shaped wing when viewed from bottom or top, this is an eleptical wing. It was an advantage sometimes as it could turn faster than the 109 in the battle of britian

CafeenMan

Elliptical = Ellipse = Oval.

Looks like this:

http://www.airfieldmodels.com/inform..._wing_area.htm

Chris-_-Memphis

My Feedback: (3)

i understand now..thanks guys

Geistware

My Feedback: (16)

One other piece of information you need to be aware of. A lot has to do with the length of the wing as well. At a give weight and wing area, a plane with a longer wing will tend to float better than one with a shorter wing.

combatpigg

My Feedback: (3)

HI CHRIS HAYES! In the real world of less than perfect landings a lighter plane will do less damage to it's self. If you are flying a glider with zero power, then having a little extra weight [on a windy day] can be a benefit, otherwise it's just dead weight that works against you. The wind is your ally when learning to land if you allow the plane to weathervane it'self directly into it. A 700 sq in, 5 pound trainer can be flown on windy days and land at walking speed.