Mathematics

What does the aspect ratio of a wing express?

Answer

The ratio of the span (length) of the airfoil to its chord (width)

Aspect ratio is the ratio of the length, or span, of an airfoil to its width, or chord; the handbook gives a typical commercial airliner value of about 7 to 1. It is a pure shape ratio and does not involve weight or thickness.

Source: FAA-H-8083-30B, Ch. 3 p. 3-7 — 'Ratio — aspect ratio'

Not the answer

  • The ratio of the wing's maximum thickness to the length of its chord line
  • The ratio of the total wing area to the gross weight of the loaded aircraft

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