wing loading
Span versus mass
Wing loading is the ratio of an aircraft's weight to its wing area, typically measured in pounds per square foot.
Low wing loading allows slower flight and tighter turns; high wing loading requires faster speeds but handles turbulence better.
The concept applies to birds and gliders as well as powered aircraft: A hawk's low wing loading lets it soar on thermals.
Mechanism for vertical transport
- dragResistance through fluid
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
- angle of attackWing-to-airflow orientation
camber · chord · airfoil · stall speed · Bernoulli · pressure · boundary layer · vortex
Piloted fabric wing
- paragliderFoot-launched aircraft with fabric wing
- sailplaneEngineless soaring aircraft
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
- thermalPertaining to warmth
updraft · soar · drift · airtime · altitude · ridge lift · silent flight · launch
Carried freight or charge
- gross weightTotal weight with container
- fuel capacityMaximum storable amount
- takeoffDeparture or parody
- landingDescent's final moment
flight envelope · range · climb rate · maneuverability · cruise speed · fuselage · airliner · fighter jet
lift
Mechanism for vertical transport
- dragResistance through fluid
- stallEnclosed compartment or delay
- airspeedAircraft's atmospheric velocity
angle of attack · camber · chord · airfoil · stall speed · Bernoulli · pressure · boundary layer · vortex · turbulence
hang glider
Piloted fabric wing
- paragliderFoot-launched aircraft with fabric wing
- sailplaneEngineless soaring aircraft
- gliderUnpowered flying craft
thermal · updraft · soar · drift · airtime · altitude · ridge lift · silent flight · launch · tow
payload
Carried freight or charge
- gross weightTotal weight with container
- fuel capacityMaximum storable amount
- takeoffDeparture or parody
landing · flight envelope · range · climb rate · maneuverability · cruise speed · fuselage · airliner · fighter jet · cargo
feathers
Bird's lightweight covering
migration · raptors · hovering · eagles · albatross · hummingbird · condor · ornithology · plumage · thermals