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bill nye scienceguy!
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I guess the thread title says it all: what are the benefits of having a wing fixed to the fuselage at the shoulder as compared to mid or low fixing and vice versa?
To accommodate a folding wing, the designers considered retracting the main landing gear rearward, but for the chord of wing selected, it was difficult to fit undercarriage struts long enough to provide sufficient clearance for the large propeller. Their solution was an inverted gull wing, a similar layout to the one used by Germany's Junkers Ju 87 dive bomber, considerably shortening the length of the main gear legs.[17] The anhedral of the wing's center-section also permitted the wing and fuselage to meet at the optimum angle for minimizing drag, without the need for wing root fairings.[17] Offsetting these benefits, the bent wing was more difficult to construct and weighed more than a straight one.
berkeman said:Ding-Ding! We have a winner. Back in the days before wiki (heck, before Al Gore invented the Internet!), I used to sit and watch Black Sheep Squadron, and wonder, why in the world would you design a wing like that? I finally found the answer in an aviation book about fighter designs.
True, but that's not usually the main driver, except for aerobatic aircraft and fighters.Nick Bruno said:Aircraft with wings lower on the fuselage have better rolling capabilities, but is fairly unstable. Wings mid fuselage are designed for manuverability and are still pretty unstable. Wings on top give the best stability but less manuverability.
berkeman said:Quiz Question -- Why are the Corsair's wings bent?
Gannet said:All three positions provides a flyable monoplane aircraft. Whether the position is a pro or con is directly dependent on the aircraft mission.
Most monoplane aircraft that have the same mission usually have the same wing position.
High Wings has the following attributes:
- uninterrupted lift surface has highest oswald efficiency factor
- fuel in wet wing can be gravity fed to engine; however, this also makes it more difficult to fill and increase potential for fire in a crash
- longer takeoff run than a mid- or low-wing
- shorter landing roll than mid- or low-wing (wing in ground effect)
- cantilevered wing requires full depth and width wing spar usually right where the pilot head wants to be
- Excellent downward visibility; however, poor upward visibility which is required when in a turn
- Most stable of the three positions; thus, poor in maneuverability
- easier for passengers and cargo to ingress and egress
- highest structural efficiency when wing is externally braced (reduce wing spar cross section and wing skins also, braces are in tension during highest load condition)
- Easiest to fly, but boring
Low Wings attributes are usually the reverse of the high wing attributes and the mid-wing is somewhere in between
Indeed, I have learned much.Cyrus said:Those are fine points Gannet.
The main advantage of having wings on top of the fuselage is that it allows for a better distribution of weight, which results in better stability and control during flight. This placement also allows for a larger wing surface area, which can generate more lift and support heavier loads.
One major disadvantage of having wings on the bottom of the fuselage is that it can create more drag, which can reduce the overall efficiency of the aircraft. This placement also limits the size of the wing, which can affect the aircraft's lift capabilities.
The placement of wings can greatly impact the maneuverability of an aircraft. Wings on top of the fuselage provide better stability and control, making it easier for the pilot to perform maneuvers. On the other hand, wings on the bottom of the fuselage can decrease maneuverability and make it more difficult for the pilot to control the aircraft.
The safety concerns with wing placement mainly depend on the specific design and engineering of the aircraft. However, having wings on top of the fuselage can provide better protection in the event of a crash or emergency landing, as the wings can act as a buffer between the fuselage and the ground.
Generally, wings on top of the fuselage can offer better fuel efficiency due to their ability to generate more lift and reduce drag. However, this greatly depends on the design and aerodynamics of the specific aircraft, and other factors such as weight and speed also play a role in fuel efficiency.