aspect ratio
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The aspect ratio is the square of the wingspan divided
by the platform area of the wing: AR = b2/S
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The aspect ratio of a wing is defined as the square of the span divided
by the wing area. It is a measure of how long and slender a wing is from
tip to tip. For a rectangular wing, this reduces to the ratio of the wingspan
to the chord length. High aspect ratio
wings have long spans (like high performance gliders),
while low aspect ratio wings have either short spans or thick chords (like
the Space Shuttle). Gliders have a
high aspect ratio because the drag of the aircraft
depends on this parameter. A higher aspect ratio gives a lower drag and
a better glide angle. The Space Shuttle has a low aspect ratio because of
high-speed effects.
Related category
• AERODYNAMICS
AND AERONAUTICS
U.S. Centennial of Flight Commission
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