Aspect ratio — dimension sheet
Source: Xem Studio, https://xemstudio.com/objects/aspect-ratio/  (sheet CC BY 4.0; files Xem Studio Design License, https://xemstudio.com/license/)
Basis: Design rules and figures from the cited sources; example geometry by Xem Studio
Catalog version: 2026-10-20

Sizes: see table below
- 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.

parameter  value or range  source
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

Files elsewhere (not hosted by Xem Studio; license as stated by the publisher):
- 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
- 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
- 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/
- 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/

Free files (Xem Studio Design License, Xem Studio; STEP + STL, 1 parts): https://xemstudio.com/files/hardware/aspect-ratio/index.json
API: https://xemstudio.com/api/geometry?object=aspect-ratio