What is Wing Loading?
Wing loading is a measure of the total weight of an aircraft divided by its wing area. It indicates how much mass is supported by each square meter of wing surface and is typically expressed in kilograms per square meter (kg/m²).
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter the total weight of your aircraft in kilograms (kg)
- Enter the total wing area in square meters (m²)
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the wing loading
- The result will be displayed in kg/m²
Interpreting the Results
The wing loading value provides insight into aircraft performance:
- Lower wing loading generally indicates better maneuverability and slower flight speeds
- Higer wing loading suggests faster cruise speeds but may require more power to take off and climb
- For comparison, general aviation aircraft typically have wing loadings between 100-200 kg/m², while commercial airliners range from 100-200 kg/m² depending on the aircraft type
Practical Applications
The Wing Loading Calculator can be used by:
- Aircraft designers to optimize wing design for desired performance characteristics
- Pilots to understand how weight distribution affects flight
- Aircraft owners to assess if modifications (like adding baggage) are within safe operational limits