What is fixed wing
Fixed wing is a common type of aircraft, which is characterized by its wings being fixed and not rotating, and relying on the lift generated by the wings to maintain flight. Unlike rotary-wing aircraft (such as helicopters), fixed-wing aircraft usually require runway takeoff and landing, and maintain forward speed during flight through engine thrust or airflow power. Fixed-wing aircraft are widely used in civil aviation, military, scientific research and other fields.
Basic structure of fixed wing
Fixed-wing aircraft mainly consist of the following core parts:
| parts | Function |
|---|---|
| wing | Produce lift to support aircraft flying in the air |
| fuselage | Carrying passengers, cargo and equipment |
| engine | Provide thrust to propel the aircraft forward |
| tail wing | Control aircraft pitch, yaw and roll |
| landing gear | Supports ground taxiing, takeoff and landing |
Fixed wing classification
Fixed-wing aircraft can be classified according to purpose, size and power source:
| Classification criteria | Category |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Civilian passenger aircraft, military fighter jets, cargo aircraft, and drones |
| Size | Small aircraft (such as light sport aircraft), medium-sized aircraft (such as regional airliners), large aircraft (such as wide-body aircraft) |
| Power source | Piston engine, turboprop engine, turbofan engine |
The difference between fixed wing and rotorcraft
There are significant differences in flight principles and performance between fixed-wing aircraft and rotary-wing aircraft (such as helicopters):
| Comparative item | fixed wing | gyroplane |
|---|---|---|
| Source of lift | fixed wing | rotating rotor |
| Take-off and landing mode | need runway | vertical takeoff and landing |
| flight speed | higher | lower |
| voyage | Far away | shorter |
Current development trends in fixed wing technology
Fixed-wing aircraft have made significant advances in technology and applications in recent years, and here are a few hot trends:
| Trend | Description |
|---|---|
| electrification | Electric fixed-wing aircraft (such as eVTOL) are gradually emerging to reduce carbon emissions |
| Intelligent | UAV and autonomous driving technology promote the intelligent development of fixed-wing aircraft |
| Composite material applications | Materials like carbon fiber reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency |
| supersonic flight | The development of new generation supersonic passenger aircraft (such as Boom Overture) is accelerated |
Hot topics and fixed-wing related developments in the past 10 days
Recently, hot news in the field of fixed-wing aircraft mainly focuses on technological innovation and industry applications:
| time | event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2023-10-15 | European aviation giant tests hydrogen-powered fixed-wing aircraft | Reuters |
| 2023-10-18 | China's first independently developed large-scale amphibious aircraft AG600M completes test flight | Xinhua News Agency |
| 2023-10-20 | U.S. Air Force announces next-generation stealth bomber B-21 will soon fly for the first time | CNN |
| 2023-10-22 | Electric fixed-wing drones have achieved breakthrough applications in the field of logistics and distribution | TechCrunch |
Summary
Fixed-wing aircraft, a core component of the aviation industry, continue to advance in technology, efficiency and adaptability. With the development of electrification, intelligence and new materials, fixed-wing aircraft will usher in more breakthroughs in environmental protection, safety and performance in the future. Whether it is commercial airliners, military fighters or drones, fixed-wing technology will continue to promote the development of human aviation.
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