[NSRCA-discussion] Formula for figuring wing loading?

[Tom Simes]

On Tue, 25 Jul 2006 10:36:20 -0400
"twtaylor" <twtaylor at ftc-i.net> wrote:

> For the mathematically impaired (me) Anyone know the formula?  I'd
> like to plug and play some numbers. Thanks

You take the static (1g) weight of the aircraft and divide that number
by the surface area of both wings.  For models, wing loading is commonly
expressed in ounces per square foot.

As an example, a plane I'm working on has a wing area of 744 square
inches and should come out at around 7.5 lbs. (I hope):

744 sq. inches / 144 sq. inches per sq. foot = 5.17 sq. foot wing area

7.5 lbs * 16 lbs per ounce = 120 ounces

Therefore my loading is 120 oz. / 5.17 sq. ft or 23.23 oz. per sq. ft.

>From my perspective, anything less than 10 oz./ sq. ft. is either a
glider or a foamy.  Anything more than 30 oz. / sq. ft. is something I
would rather not fly.  For me, the sweet spot seems to be 20 - 25 oz.
per square foot.

Tom
 
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   "Z-80 system stack overflow.  Shut 'er down Scotty, the system's
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Tom Simes                                       simestd at netexpress.com 
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