Profile image

Does the position of the main wings affect flight?

308 Mihairus34  1.1 years ago

Does the position of main wings (with flat bottom or semi-simmetric profile) affect something? I mean the position in relation to the center of mass.

I've seen ksp player's put main wings COL right in the COM, maybe it works in Simple Planes too?

  • Log in to leave a comment
  • Profile image

    @HuskyDynamics01 ok, but i once tested it, i put flat bottomed wing at the very front and it pitched up, but the col and com were good

    1.1 years ago
  • Profile image

    @Mihairus34 Not quite. If the CoM and CoL are in the same place (or even quite close to each other), the aircraft will be very unstable. Pitch input will cause it to pivot directly around the center of mass, meaning that it will lose stability very quickly.


    It's generally advisable to position the CoL a short distance behind the CoM. Any nose-down tendencies will usually be correctable with trim, and the plane will be more stable.

    1.1 years ago
  • Profile image

    @Noname918181 im talking about main wings (if they are flat bottomed) i think if main wings col will be on com, the plane will be stable, if forward, plane will pitch up, because main wings generate lift

    1.1 years ago
  • Profile image

    @32 in my theory, if main wings col are right in the com, the plane will be stable, if its forward, plane will pitch up, and I don't know is it true

    1.1 years ago
  • Profile image
    28.7k 32

    Yeah cause if the thing is heavier on one end of the plane, it will tend to pitch up or down. The further from the col the come is, the more this happens, until your plane is completely unflyable. Take a look at a few well made planes on here to see what I mean.

    1.1 years ago
  • Profile image

    Yes, it does affect something.
    Though I would not recommend doing your CoL on top of the CoM as it will be too unstable. An active stabilization system would be necessary

    1.1 years ago
  • Profile image

    yep

    1.1 years ago