✈️ Wing Loading Calculator
Calculate Aircraft Wing Loading
Use maximum takeoff weight for most accurate results
How to Use This Calculator
Select Unit System
Choose between Imperial (pounds and square feet) or Metric (kilograms and square meters) units.
Enter Aircraft Weight
Input the aircraft weight in your selected unit system. Use maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) for most accurate wing loading calculations.
Enter Wing Area
Enter the total wing area (both wings combined) in your selected unit system. This can be found in aircraft specifications.
Calculate Wing Loading
Click calculate to get wing loading in both lb/ft² and kg/m², regardless of input units.
Formula
Wing Loading = Weight / Wing Area
Where:
- Wing Loading = Load per unit wing area
- Weight = Aircraft weight (lbs or kg)
- Wing Area = Total wing area (ft² or m²)
Common Units:
- Imperial: lb/ft² (pounds per square foot)
- Metric: kg/m² (kilograms per square meter)
- Conversion: 1 lb/ft² = 4.88243 kg/m²
Example Calculation
If you have:
- Aircraft weight: 2,000 lbs
- Wing area: 200 ft²
Calculation:
Wing Loading = 2,000 / 200 = 10 lb/ft²
Wing Loading = 10 × 4.88243 = 48.82 kg/m²
About Wing Loading Calculator
The Wing Loading Calculator is an essential tool for pilots, aircraft designers, and aviation enthusiasts. Wing loading is a critical parameter that affects aircraft performance, handling, and flight characteristics. It represents the weight that must be supported by each unit of wing area. Lower wing loading generally means better low-speed performance, shorter takeoff/landing distances, and more forgiving flight characteristics, while higher wing loading provides better high-speed performance and smoother flight in turbulence.
When to Use This Calculator
- Aircraft Performance Analysis: Understand how wing loading affects aircraft performance characteristics
- Flight Planning: Calculate wing loading for different loading conditions
- Aircraft Design: Determine appropriate wing area for desired performance
- Pilot Training: Learn how weight affects aircraft handling characteristics
- Aircraft Comparison: Compare wing loading between different aircraft models
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Instant Results: Get wing loading calculations immediately
- ✅ Easy to Use: Simple interface with both imperial and metric units
- ✅ Multiple Units: Results displayed in both lb/ft² and kg/m²
- ✅ 100% Free: No registration or payment required
- ✅ Accurate: Uses standard aviation formulas
- ✅ Educational: Includes detailed explanations and examples
Common Applications
General Aviation: Calculate wing loading for light aircraft to understand performance characteristics, stall speeds, and handling qualities at different weights.
Aircraft Design: Determine appropriate wing area during aircraft design to achieve desired performance targets for cruise speed, takeoff distance, and landing distance.
Flight Training: Help student pilots understand how aircraft weight and loading affects performance, particularly during takeoff and landing phases.
RC Aircraft: Calculate wing loading for radio-controlled aircraft to optimize performance for different flight styles (slow flyers vs. aerobatic vs. scale models).
Tips for Accurate Results
- Use maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) for worst-case wing loading calculations
- Include fuel, passengers, and cargo when calculating actual operating weight
- Wing area should include both wings and any wing extensions (flaps excluded)
- Compare your results with aircraft specifications to verify accuracy
- Remember that wing loading changes with weight - calculate for different loading scenarios
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good wing loading?
Wing loading varies by aircraft type. Light aircraft: 10-20 lb/ft², airliners: 70-130 lb/ft², fighters: 60-100 lb/ft². Lower values provide better low-speed performance, higher values allow higher cruise speeds. There's no single "good" value - it depends on intended use.
How does wing loading affect performance?
Lower wing loading: better low-speed handling, shorter takeoff/landing distances, lower stall speeds, but higher drag at high speeds. Higher wing loading: better high-speed performance, smoother flight in turbulence, but requires higher speeds for takeoff/landing.
Does wing loading change during flight?
Yes! As fuel burns and weight decreases, wing loading decreases. Aircraft are designed to operate safely at maximum wing loading (MTOW), and performance improves as weight decreases during flight.
How is wing loading related to stall speed?
Higher wing loading increases stall speed. The relationship is: Stall Speed ∝ √Wing Loading. This is why heavily loaded aircraft have higher stall speeds and require more speed for safe operations.
Can I compare different aircraft using wing loading?
Yes, wing loading is a useful parameter for comparing aircraft performance characteristics. However, remember that other factors (airfoil design, power-to-weight ratio, wing aspect ratio) also significantly affect performance.