1. What is Wing Loading?

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

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wing loading formula:

Where:

• \( WL \) — Wing loading (g/dm²)
• \( mass \) — Total mass of the aircraft (grams)
• \( wing\ area \) — Total wing area (square decimeters)

Explanation: This simple calculation shows how much weight each unit of wing area must support during flight.

3. Importance of Wing Loading

Details: Wing loading directly affects an aircraft's performance. Lower wing loading generally means slower stall speeds and better maneuverability, while higher wing loading typically means higher speed capability but requires more power.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the total mass of your RC plane in grams and the total wing area in square decimeters. Both values must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical wing loading values for RC planes?
A: Trainer planes: 20-40 g/dm², Sport planes: 40-60 g/dm², 3D aerobatic: 30-50 g/dm², Jets: 80-150+ g/dm².

Q2: How does wing loading affect flight characteristics?
A: Higher wing loading means faster stall speed, less floatiness, and generally better wind penetration but requires more power.

Q3: How do I measure wing area?
A: For rectangular wings: span × chord. For tapered wings: average chord × span. For complex shapes, divide into simpler shapes and sum.

Q4: Should I include battery weight in the mass?
A: Yes, include everything - airframe, electronics, battery, and any payload for accurate calculation.

Q5: What units should I use?
A: This calculator uses grams for mass and square decimeters for area, resulting in g/dm² units which are common for RC planes.