{
 "version": "2026-10-20",
 "license": "Dimension sheets: CC BY 4.0. Standard and published-size files: CC BY 4.0. Xem Studio's own designs (files_license = Xem Studio Design License): free to use and sell things from, not to redistribute as files — https://xemstudio.com/license/. Other publishers' files: their own license, linked beside them.",
 "slug": "aspect-ratio",
 "name": "Aspect ratio",
 "kind": "standard",
 "category": "Aircraft design",
 "group": "Wing planforms",
 "year": null,
 "question": "What aspect ratio should a glider vs a trainer have?",
 "tags": [
  "vehicle design",
  "wing planforms",
  "rc design",
  "aerodynamics"
 ],
 "aliases": [
  "aspect ratio",
  "wing aspect ratio",
  "aspect ratio glider",
  "aspect ratio rc trainer",
  "high aspect ratio wing",
  "aspect ratio formula",
  "aspect ratio induced drag",
  "aspect ratio calculator",
  "span squared over area",
  "low aspect ratio wing"
 ],
 "overall_mm": {
  "length": null,
  "width": null,
  "height": null
 },
 "official_cad": false,
 "xem_status": "free-files",
 "les": false,
 "free_files": 1,
 "url": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/aspect-ratio/",
 "sheet_txt": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/aspect-ratio/sheet.txt",
 "sheet": {
  "basis": "Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio",
  "overall_mm": {
   "length": null,
   "width": null,
   "height": null
  },
  "notes": [
   "Aspect ratio is span squared over area (span/chord for a rectangular wing); high AR lowers induced drag and improves glide, since CDi = CL^2/(pi AR e) (NASA Glenn; TU Delft).",
   "Leishman gives typical AR of 5-10 for small GA aircraft, 9-15 for transports and 30+ for sailplanes; the DG-800 at just over 27 exceeds L/D 50, and Rutan's Voyager used AR 34 (ERAU).",
   "RC sailplanes are lower: Drela's 3 m Bubble Dancer has 120 in span on 1000 in^2 (AR 14.4, derived) (CRRC).",
   "Used on: DG-800, Rutan Voyager, Supermarine Spitfire, Bubble Dancer (RC sailplane).",
   "The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle."
  ],
  "table": {
   "columns": [
    "parameter",
    "value or range",
    "source"
   ],
   "rows": [
    [
     "Small GA aircraft AR",
     "5-10",
     "ERAU (Leishman)"
    ],
    [
     "Commercial transport AR",
     "9-15",
     "ERAU"
    ],
    [
     "Sailplane AR",
     "30 and above",
     "ERAU"
    ],
    [
     "DG-800 AR / L/D",
     "just over 27 / > 50",
     "ERAU"
    ],
    [
     "Rutan Voyager AR",
     "34",
     "ERAU"
    ],
    [
     "Spitfire AR",
     "5.67",
     "ERAU"
    ],
    [
     "Bubble Dancer (RC RES)",
     "120 in span, 1000 in^2 (AR 14.4 derived)",
     "CRRC"
    ],
    [
     "Reference build",
     "AR 12 (1200 x 100 mm)",
     "illustrative"
    ]
   ]
  }
 },
 "sheet_text": "Aspect ratio — dimension sheet\nSource: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/aspect-ratio/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)\nBasis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio\nCatalog version: 2026-10-20\n\nSizes: see table below\n- Aspect ratio is span squared over area (span/chord for a rectangular wing); high AR lowers induced drag and improves glide, since CDi = CL^2/(pi AR e) (NASA Glenn; TU Delft).\n- Leishman gives typical AR of 5-10 for small GA aircraft, 9-15 for transports and 30+ for sailplanes; the DG-800 at just over 27 exceeds L/D 50, and Rutan's Voyager used AR 34 (ERAU).\n- RC sailplanes are lower: Drela's 3 m Bubble Dancer has 120 in span on 1000 in^2 (AR 14.4, derived) (CRRC).\n- Used on: DG-800, Rutan Voyager, Supermarine Spitfire, Bubble Dancer (RC sailplane).\n- The file is a reference example built by Xem Studio from the numbers above. Sizes the sources do not fix are illustrative; scale the example to your own vehicle.\n\nparameter  value or range  source\nSmall GA aircraft AR  5-10  ERAU (Leishman)\nCommercial transport AR  9-15  ERAU\nSailplane AR  30 and above  ERAU\nDG-800 AR / L/D  just over 27 / > 50  ERAU\nRutan Voyager AR  34  ERAU\nSpitfire AR  5.67  ERAU\nBubble Dancer (RC RES)  120 in span, 1000 in^2 (AR 14.4 derived)  CRRC\nReference build  AR 12 (1200 x 100 mm)  illustrative\n\nFiles elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):\n- NASA Glenn Research Center: Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics: Wing Geometry — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/wing-geometry\n- TU Delft OpenCourseWare: AE1101 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering, Aerodynamics 6 — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://ocw.tudelft.nl/wp-content/uploads/AE1101-Aero-6.pdf\n- Embry-Riddle (Leishman), Introduction to Aerospace Flight Vehicles: Wing Shapes and Nomenclature — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://eaglepubs.erau.edu/introductiontoaerospaceflightvehicles/chapter/wing-shapes-and-nomenclature/\n- Charles River Radio Controllers (M. Drela designs): Bubble Dancer 3m RES sailplane — web — Publisher's page; dimensions are facts — https://charlesriverrc.org/articles/on-line-plans/mark-drela-designs/bubble-dancer/\n\nFree files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/aspect-ratio/index.json\nAPI: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=aspect-ratio\n",
 "sources": [
  {
   "publisher": "NASA Glenn Research Center",
   "title": "Beginner's Guide to Aeronautics: Wing Geometry",
   "url": "https://www1.grc.nasa.gov/beginners-guide-to-aeronautics/wing-geometry",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "TU Delft OpenCourseWare",
   "title": "AE1101 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering, Aerodynamics 6",
   "url": "https://ocw.tudelft.nl/wp-content/uploads/AE1101-Aero-6.pdf",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Embry-Riddle (Leishman), Introduction to Aerospace Flight Vehicles",
   "title": "Wing Shapes and Nomenclature",
   "url": "https://eaglepubs.erau.edu/introductiontoaerospaceflightvehicles/chapter/wing-shapes-and-nomenclature/",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  },
  {
   "publisher": "Charles River Radio Controllers (M. Drela designs)",
   "title": "Bubble Dancer 3m RES sailplane",
   "url": "https://charlesriverrc.org/articles/on-line-plans/mark-drela-designs/bubble-dancer/",
   "formats": [
    "web"
   ],
   "license": "Publisher's page; dimensions are facts",
   "license_verified": true,
   "hosted": false
  }
 ],
 "xem": {
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  "tolerance_mm": null
 },
 "related": [
  "rectangular-wing",
  "tapered-wing",
  "elliptical-wing",
  "swept-wing",
  "forward-swept-wing",
  "delta-wing"
 ],
 "fits": [],
 "dimensions": "exact (nominal, no printing tolerance)",
 "dimension_rule": "All geometry on Xem Studio is exact (nominal, true size) with no printing tolerance. Where a part meets another part, the object lists its mating features (feature, exact size, what it mates with, fit class: press, slide, run, socket, clamp or designed). Apply your process's allowance to those features only; 'designed' gaps are part of the design and stay as drawn.",
 "mating": [],
 "faq": [
  {
   "q": "Why do gliders have long thin wings?",
   "a": "High aspect ratio cuts induced drag: CDi = CL^2/(pi AR e) (TU Delft)."
  }
 ],
 "files_license": {
  "name": "Xem Studio Design License",
  "holder": "Xem Studio",
  "url": "https://xemstudio.com/license/",
  "note": "Xem Studio's own design: free to use, print, modify and sell things made from it; not to be republished or redistributed as files."
 },
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   "file": "aspect-ratio-wing",
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   "license": "Xem Studio Design License",
   "step": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/aspect-ratio/aspect-ratio-wing.step",
   "stl": "https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/aspect-ratio/aspect-ratio-wing.stl",
   "note": "rectangular planform: span 1200, root 100, tip 100 mm, LE sweep 0°, dihedral 3°, NACA 2412"
  }
 ],
 "markdown": "https://xemstudio.com/objects/aspect-ratio/index.md"
}