Wing

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A wing is a type of part primarily used to provide lift during horizontal flight inside an atmosphere. Wings are the defining feature of planes, though wings may enable short-term flying or gliding by rovers and other craft. The lifting forces they generate can also be used in novel ways.

The lift generated depends on the local density of atmosphere, the square of the relative speed, and the wings' angle of attack (AoA). The atmospheric density and relative velocity squared generate the aerodynamic force called dynamic pressure (Q) according to the following formula:

Where:
  • the local density of the atmosphere [kg/m³]
  • the speed of the craft relative to the atmosphere [m/s]

The three-dimensional point where lift from all wings, winglets, and control surfaces averages out is the center of lift, which in rough terms acts like a lever with the fulcrum being the center of mass. The relative position of the center of lift to mass is the decisive element for an aircraft's stability. A stable airplane should have its center of lift slightly behind its center of mass and roughly co-planar.

Wings generate drag as an inherent consequence of generating lift. As drag decreases the speed of the aircraft, some kind of engine is needed for propulsion, or its initial kinetic and potential energy will be consumed in a gliding maneuver. The generated lift greatly depends on the angle of attack. The lift increases with the AoA in an interval, but at greater angles the drag increases more rapidly than the lift, decreasing the efficiency of the wing. The optimal angle of attack is that with the highest L/D (lift/drag) ratio.

By themselves, wings provide no steering control, though their lifting forces will impact movement of a craft in flight. The trailing edges are often an ideal place for attaching control surfaces.

Note: the current aerodynamic model of the game doesn't simulate the stalling or the transonic-supersonic effects

List of wings

Wings' dimensions.svg

The wing parts - except of the model "Swept Wings" - are modular: strictly follow the geometry, and as a result of this they are easy to connect them without gaps and holes. This property of the set of wings make design of the great wings structures easy. But due to the tree structure of the parts connection these wings can be weak, and have to be strengthened with strut connectors. The dimension of the wings - you can see left. Their connecting edge at their right side.

  • L [Length] - total length of the wing module
  • W [Width] - the width of the wing module at its connection
  • E [End] - the width of the wing module at its ending (the opposite side of its connection "surface") (at the rectangular wing connectors E=W)
  • SD [Sweeping Depth] - depth of the sweeping-back of the wing: the difference of the rearrest points of the ending and of the connection

Template:Stats Table Wings