High or Low AR ?

Categories:
Speed-Flying

Submitted by kitesurfa on Mon, 2006-04-10 00:48.

When working out what glider or wing is most suitable What is the ideal Aspect Ratio for best flight.

Low Aspect Ratio 2.0 - 3.5
Higher Aspect Ratio 3.5 - 5.0

Aspect Ratio = Span² / Area

Would a Glider of say 10.5m² with a 5.0 AR be usable or would the lift be to much ?

Some thoughts -
If the wing has a higher than average Aspect Ratio would it counter a higher wing loading you get when using a smaller wing, due to the fact that the wing will be generating more lift as it is travelling through the air at speed ?

Aspect Ratio

Submitted by mathias on Mon, 2006-04-10 22:06.

Hello Alan

Nice Job you do!! Thanks!!!

The glide and the loading of a wing will not only depend on the Aspect ratio but alos to the profile, planform and other parameters.

With the Nano we tryed to combine:

- easy take off for all kind of conditions and places.
- maximum stability for skiing and flying in turbulent air.
- good and forgiving handling with long break travels.
- moderate sinkrate in turns.
- glide ratio between 2 and 3.5 (adjustable by trimmrisers) so
you will be able to follow any kind of slope withyout flying out
too high.

If you will choose a bigger aspect ratio the wing will start to glide betther. The take off starts to be less good, the stability of the wing during skiing, flying and jumping over bumps will be less. the break travels will start to become shorter.......

I have a wing with 13m2 and AR.6.2

This wing is fast and glides very good!! no chance to follow a normal ski slope. If you will land a little bit too harder or ski in bumpy airea the wing will collaps. The break travel is about 20cm short and the wing needs much more attention than a easy glider so you need to care about the wing and can not enjoy the skiing.

I am sure in futer we will see all kind of wings and there will be different styles. At the moment I am really happy with the nano and it gives me the freedome to attack the mountain as hard as possible having the safety of a stable and forgiving wing.

Cheers!!