Fixed-wing aircraft
Fixed-wing aircraft
A Fixed-wing aircraft is a type of aircraft, or air vehicle, that is able to fly due to the structure of its wings. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinguished by their stationary wings that do not move relative to the main body of the craft. The term is used to differentiate these aircraft from rotary-wing aircraft such as helicopters and autogyros where the wings rotate around a fixed mast.
Pronunciation
Fixed-wing aircraft: /ˈfɪkstˌwɪŋ ˈɛərˌkrɑːft/
Etymology
The term "fixed-wing aircraft" comes from the fact that the wings are fixed in position; they do not move relative to the aircraft's main body during flight. The term "aircraft" is derived from the French word 'aéronef', which means 'air ship'.
Related Terms
- Aerodynamics: The study of the properties of moving air, and the interaction between the air and solid bodies moving through it.
- Airfoil: The shape of a wing, blade of a propeller, rotor, or turbine.
- Aileron: A hinged flight control surface usually forming part of the trailing edge of each wing of a fixed-wing aircraft.
- Flap (aeronautics): A type of high-lift device used to increase the lift of an aircraft wing at a given airspeed.
- Elevator (aeronautics): A flight control surface, usually at the rear of an aircraft, which controls the aircraft's pitch, and therefore the angle of attack and the lift of the wing.
- Rudder: A primary control surface used to steer a ship, submarine, aircraft, or other conveyance that moves through a fluid medium (generally air or water).
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