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Aspect ratio

What aspect ratio should a glider vs a trainer have? · Standard part · basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio

Also called: 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

Exact dimensions. True size, with no printing tolerance added.

sizes
8 in table

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.

Aspect ratio size chart

parametervalue or rangesource
Small GA aircraft AR5-10ERAU (Leishman)
Commercial transport AR9-15ERAU
Sailplane AR30 and aboveERAU
DG-800 AR / L/Djust over 27 / > 50ERAU
Rutan Voyager AR34ERAU
Spitfire AR5.67ERAU
Bubble Dancer (RC RES)120 in span, 1000 in^2 (AR 14.4 derived)CRRC
Reference buildAR 12 (1200 x 100 mm)illustrative

Where the files are

Other publishers' files are linked, not hosted. "verify" = check the license at the link before commercial use.

NASA Glenn Research CenterBeginner's Guide to Aeronautics: Wing GeometrywebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
TU Delft OpenCourseWareAE1101 Introduction to Aerospace Engineering, Aerodynamics 6webPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
Embry-Riddle (Leishman), Introduction to Aerospace Flight VehiclesWing Shapes and NomenclaturewebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts
Charles River Radio Controllers (M. Drela designs)Bubble Dancer 3m RES sailplanewebPublisher's page; dimensions are facts

Free files

★ Free files 1 parts. Xem Studio design: free to use, print and sell things from; not to be republished as files. Xem Studio Design License. index.json

aspect-ratio-wingrectangular planform: span 1200, root 100, tip 100 mm, LE sweep 0°, dihedral 3°, NACA 2412STEP · STL
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Plain text: sheet.txt · JSON: /api/geometry?object=aspect-ratio

Aspect ratio, isometric render of a generated part
Render of aspect-ratio-wing from the free STEP; not to scale.

Fits with

Rectangular (constant-chord) wing, isometric render of a generated part
Rectangular (constant-chord) wing6 sizes★ 1 file
Tapered wing (taper ratio for minimum induced drag), isometric render of a generated part
Tapered wing (taper ratio for minimum induced drag)6 sizes★ 1 file
Elliptical wing, isometric render of a generated part
Elliptical wing5 sizes★ 1 file
Swept-back wing, isometric render of a generated part
Swept-back wing4 sizes★ 1 file
Forward-swept wing, isometric render of a generated part
Forward-swept wing4 sizes★ 1 file
Delta wing, isometric render of a generated part
Delta wing5 sizes★ 1 file

Questions

Why do gliders have long thin wings?

High aspect ratio cuts induced drag: CDi = CL^2/(pi AR e) (TU Delft).