How Does an Airplane Wing Work?

An Airplane Wing Produces Lift

An airplane wing has a very specific shape, designed specifically to have more surface area on top of the wing than on the bottom. Because there is more surface area on the wing's top, as the wing moves forward, air is forced to flow over the top of the wing at a faster rate than it flows over the wing's bottom. This difference in air flow creates a small area of vacuum just over the top of the wing; this vacuum is what generates the necessary lift to get the airplane off the ground.

An Airplane Wing Holds Fuel

While its primary purpose is to generate lift, the large size of a plane's wing lends itself to the wing's secondary purpose. An airplane wing's hollow inside is an excellent location for storing fuel, and many commercial, private and military aircraft store the bulk of their fuel in the wings.

Ailerons on a Wing Steer a Plane

Airplane pilots steer the plane using panels on the wing known as ailerons. When a plane's pilot turns left, the aileron on the top of the left wing raises to create increased aerodynamic drag. This drag slows the left side of the airplane, effectively turning the plane to the left. The process for the right wing is the same. In addition, the amount of drag created by the aileron is directly proportionate to how far the aileron raises; a slightly raised aileron results in a slight turn, while a fully raised aileron results in a very sharp turn.

Flaps on a Wing Slow a Plane Down

When a pilot wants to slow a plane down, he can either reduce the plane's throttle and allow it to slow naturally or he can actively "brake." To slow, a pilot extends a panel from the rear of the plane's wing known as a flap. The flaps extend behind the wing, increasing the surface area of the wing and increasing drag--which actively slows the plane. The flaps extend on both the left and right wings simultaneously, ensuring the plane's direction is not affected by the flaps.