1. What is Wing Loading?

Wing loading is the measurement of an aircraft's weight divided by its wing area. It's a key parameter in RC aircraft design that affects flight characteristics including stall speed, maneuverability, and overall performance.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wing loading equation:

Where:

• \( Weight \) — Total weight of the aircraft in grams (g)
• \( Wing\ Area \) — Total wing area in square decimeters (dm²)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much weight each unit area of wing must support during flight.

3. Importance of Wing Loading

Details: Wing loading determines many flight characteristics. Lower wing loading generally means slower stall speeds and better maneuverability, while higher wing loading typically means higher speed capability but requires more runway for takeoff and landing.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the aircraft's total weight in grams and wing area in square decimeters. All values must be valid (greater than 0). For best results, weigh your aircraft when fully assembled with battery.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical wing loading values for RC aircraft?
A: Trainer planes: 20-40 g/dm², sport planes: 40-60 g/dm², jets: 60-100+ g/dm².

Q2: How do I measure wing area?
A: For rectangular wings: span × chord. For tapered wings: average chord × span. Convert to dm² (1 dm² = 100 cm²).

Q3: Why use grams and dm² instead of oz/ft²?
A: Metric units are more common in many countries. To convert: 1 oz/ft² ≈ 3.05 g/dm².

Q4: Does wing loading affect flight time?
A: Indirectly - higher wing loading requires more power to stay airborne, which may reduce flight time with the same battery.

Q5: How does wing loading relate to wing cube loading?
A: Wing cube loading accounts for scale effects by incorporating wingspan, providing better comparison between different sized models.