The values of the maximum lift coefficient are largely independent from theĪspect-ratios at aspect-ratios above 2 and a Reynolds number 1 million. Having reference data at aspect-ratio AR=5, one can derive the polarĬharacteristics of shorter wings with remarkable precision, at least in the Quite well using the Prandtl-Lanchester formula, originally derived for elliptic Data for different aspect-ratios can be correlated
AIRCRAFT WING ASPECT RATIO CALCULATOR SERIES
Handley-Page (1911) found that a squared wing (AR=1) stalled atĪngles above 40 degrees, while a moderately slender wing (AR=6.25) stalled atĪ large body of data was published in the 1920s as a result of a series ofĮxperiments at Gottingen, Germany. Of attack stall of the low aspect-ratio wings has been known since the early days ofĪerodynamics. Short wings for low speeds have been studied for a long time. 1 below shows a qualitative example of how strongĪn influence the leading edge vortex can have on the lifting characteristics of aįigure 1: Lift characteristics at very low aspect-ratios Wing Performance at Low Speeds Truckenbrodt, and others) provided simple means to predict the vortex lift created byįig. Later a number of non-linear lifting line theories (Multhopp, Gersten,
Theoretical analysis was performed by Betz in theġ920s. Squared wings and wings withĮven lower aspect ratios are still interesting from a theoretical point of view, but We define a low aspect-ratio wing a wing having AR < 5. The expense of some stability (see below). Low aspect ratios (about 2 ÷ 3) inįighter aircraft are necessary to maintain a high degree of manouvrability, though at (typical aspect ratios AR < 3) short wings are also part of control devices inĬompetition sailing boats and micro air vehicles. Wing-in-ground ship (AR = 1 ÷ 3) there are also short wings in racing cars Why short wings, then ? – There can onlyīe practical limitations to use such wings. The high angle of attack stall of the low aspect-ratio wings has been known since theĮarly days of aerodynamics. Wings of low aspect-ratio are known for having poor aerodynamic efficiency L/DĪt low speeds, along with stability problems, both static and dynamic.