Range of Wing Loadings
| Aircraft | Buzz Z3 | Fun 160 | ASK 21 | Nieuport 17 | Ikarus C42 | Cessna 152 | Vans RV-4 | DC-3 | Spitfire | Messerschmitt Bf-109 | B-17 | B-36 | Eurofighter | F-104 | A380 | B747 | MD-11F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wing Loading (kg/m2) |
3.9 | 6.3 | 33 | 38 | 38 | 51 | 67 | 123 | 158 | 173 | 190 | 272 | 311 | 514 | 663 | 740 | 844 |
| Role | paraglider | hang glider | glider | fighter | microlight | trainer | sports | airliner | fighter | fighter | bomber | bomber | fighter | fighter-bomber | airliner | airliner | airliner |
| Year | 2010 | 2007 | 1979 | 1916 | 1997 | 1978 | 1980 | 1936 | 1942 | 1941 | 1938 | 1949 | 1998 | 1958 | 2007 | 1970 | 1990 |
The table, which shows wing loadings, is intended to give an idea of the range of wing loadings used by aircraft. Maximum weights have been used. There will be variations amongst variants of any particular type. The dates are approximate, indicating period of introduction.
The critical limit for bird flight is about 5 lb/ft2 (25 kg/m2). An analysis of bird flight which looked at 138 species ranging in mass from 10 g to 10 kg, from small passerines to swans and cranes found wing loadings from about 1 to 20 kg/m2. The wing loadings of some of the lightest aircraft fall comfortably within this range. One typical hang-glider (see table) has a maximum wing loading of 6.3 kg/m2, and an ultralight rigid glider 8.3 kg/m2.
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